# offing

Pronunciation: US say "AW-fing" /ˈɔfɪŋ/; UK say "O-fing" /ˈɒfɪŋ/

## Noun

1. The foreseeable future, especially with reference to something that is approaching or likely to happen before long.
   - Simple: The near future, especially something that seems likely to happen soon.
   - _After months of rumors, a merger now appeared to be in the offing._
   - _She could sense that a promotion was in the offing._
2. The stretch of sea visible from land at a distance, excluding the waters nearest the shore and lying beyond the anchoring ground.
   - Simple: The part of the sea that is far from shore but still in sight from land.
   - _The lookout reported a frigate standing in the offing, well clear of the shoals._
   - _By dawn, three merchant vessels rode at anchor in the offing, awaiting the tide._
3. The distance a ship at sea keeps from land, often because of navigational dangers, fog, or other hazards; also a position held well out from shore.
   - Simple: How far out at sea a ship stays from the shore, often to avoid danger.
   - _Wary of the reef, the helmsman maintained a generous offing throughout the night._
   - _The sailing manual advised keeping a safe offing whenever the shoreline grew rocky._

## Verb

4. Present participle of off. — present participle and gerund of off
   - Simple: Present participle of off. Use this form for the action happening right now or as a name for the action.
   - _The gang spent the whole season offing anyone who crossed them._
   - _Offing a rival boss triggered an all-out turf war._

## Origin

Formed from "off" and the suffix "-ing." It has been attested since before 1600, with early texts also spelling it "offin" and "offen."

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/offing (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).