upcoming
Americanadjective
adjective
Usage
What does upcoming mean? Upcoming is used to describe something that is scheduled or expected to happen or to be presented or released in the near future. A close synonym is forthcoming. Upcoming is most often used to describe events that will happen soon, like a wedding or an election, or things that will be released soon, such as an album, movie, or new product. The term typically implies that the event will happen or the thing will arrive relatively soon, such as within a few weeks or months or within a year or so. The farther away something is, the less likely you’d be to describe it as upcoming. You also probably wouldn’t use the word for something happening tomorrow. Upcoming should not be confused with the similar-sounding term up-and-coming, which means successful and likely to become more successful. Example: There is a lot of buzz around the up-and-coming band’s upcoming album that will be released in the spring.
Etymology
Origin of upcoming
Explanation
Upcoming means happening soon. If you've always wanted a surprise party, you might drop hints to your friends about your upcoming birthday. The adjective upcoming was first used in the 19th century to mean "rising," but its meaning changed to "forthcoming" or "imminent" by the mid-20th century. If you'll vote next month, you might talk about the upcoming election, and your little sister might be excited about your upcoming family trip to Disney World. Whenever you find yourself thinking of an event that's coming up, it's upcoming!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Upcoming data for AstraZeneca’s Wainua drug in a trial for transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy—a heart disease—and for experimental cholesterol treatment AZD0780 could be key, the analysts add.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026
Upcoming physics papers have been replaced as a "precautionary step", but students' results dates remain unchanged, the exam board said, meaning grades will be issued on time and in line with university offer deadlines.
From BBC • May 26, 2026
Upcoming bright spots for Ubisoft include the July 9 release of "Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced" -- a remake of one of its flagship franchises' best-loved instalments.
From Barron's • May 20, 2026
Upcoming earnings from major tech companies on Wednesday will offer clues on AI chip spending, crucial for Nvidia.
From Barron's • Apr. 27, 2026
Upcoming galaxy surveys, cosmic microwave background studies, and gravitational wave detectors are reaching the sensitivity needed to examine ideas that were once purely theoretical.
From Science Daily • Mar. 30, 2026
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
