offing

UK: /ˈɒfɪŋ/ US: /ˈɔfɪŋ, ˈɑfɪŋ/ ,(ô′fing, of′ing)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

off•ing /ˈɔfɪŋ, ˈɑfɪŋ/   n. [countable* usually: the + ~]

1. Naval Terms the more distant part of the sea seen from the shore.

Idioms

2. Idioms in the offing, [uncountable]
   • in the near future:
     A surprise is in the offing.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

off•ing  (ô′fing, of′ing), n. 

1. Naval Terms the more distant part of the sea seen from the shore, beyond the anchoring ground.
2. Naval Terms a position at a distance from shore.
3. in the offing:
   • Idioms at a distance but within sight.
   • Idioms in the projected future;
     likely to happen:
     A wedding is in the offing.

• off + -ing¹ 1620–30

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

offing / ˈɒfɪŋ/ noun

1. the part of the sea that can be seen from the shore
2. in the offing ⇒ likely to occur soon