Ongoing — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈȯn-ˌgō-iŋ/ on·go·ing

Meaning & Definition of Ongoing

Ongoing (adjective)

  1. being actually in process
  2. continuing
  3. continuously moving forward, growing

Ongoing (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. being in progress or development

    "we do seem to be making some headway on that ongoing project"

    "the ever ongoing quest for knowledge by men and women of science"

    similar: afoot, proceeding
    related: functioning, happening, operating, working, afloat, alive, going, advancing, continuing, gaining
    opposite: arrested, ended, halted, stalled, stopped
    near: receding, regressing, retrogressing

  2. existing or in progress right now

    "the ongoing presidential campaign"

    similar: current, extant, immediate, instant, present, present-day
    related: contemporary, mod, modern, modernistic, new, newfangled, new-fashioned, recent, red-hot, space-age, supermodern, ultramodern, up-to-date, being, breathing, existent, existing, living
    near: coming, future, unborn, completed, concluded, done, ended, finished, over, terminated, through, up, ancient, antediluvian, antiquated, antique, archaic, dated, fusty, musty, noncontemporary, obsolete, old, oldfangled, old-fashioned, old-time, out-of-date, outworn, passé, ago, bygone, erstwhile, former, past

  3. having an existence or validity that does not change or diminish

    "an ongoing commitment to improving their community"

    similar: abiding, ageless, continuing, dateless, enduring, eternal, everlasting, immortal, imperishable, lasting, perennial, perpetual, timeless, undying
    related: ceaseless, endless, permanent, changeless, constant, stable, stationary, steady, unchanging, unvarying
    near: antiquated, archaic, dated, obsolete, outdated, outmoded, out-of-date, outworn, passé

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Ongoing

The most common words with a similar meaning to Ongoing:

afoot, proceeding, current, extant, immediate, instant, present, present-day, abiding, ageless, continuing, dateless, enduring, eternal, everlasting, immortal, imperishable, lasting, perennial, perpetual, timeless, undying

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Ongoing

Words with the opposite meaning of Ongoing:

arrested, ended, halted, stalled, stopped

Related Words for Ongoing

functioning, happening, operating, working, afloat, alive, going, advancing, gaining, contemporary, mod, modern, modernistic, new, newfangled, new-fashioned, recent, red-hot, space-age, supermodern, ultramodern, up-to-date, being, breathing, existent, existing, living, ceaseless, endless, permanent

Near Antonyms of Ongoing

receding, regressing, retrogressing, coming, future, unborn, completed, concluded, done, finished, over, terminated, through, up, ancient, antediluvian, antiquated, antique, archaic, dated, fusty, musty, noncontemporary, obsolete, old, oldfangled, old-fashioned, old-time, out-of-date, outworn

Word Forms of Ongoing

Derived words: ongoingness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Ongoing

First known use: 1877

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Ongoing

Frequently Asked Questions about Ongoing

What does "Ongoing" mean?

"Ongoing" means being actually in process. As an adjective, it is defined as: being actually in process. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Ongoing"?

Other words for "Ongoing" include afoot, proceeding, current, extant, immediate, instant, present and present-day. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Ongoing" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Ongoing"?

There are 59 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Ongoing". Common alternatives include afoot, proceeding, current, extant, immediate, instant, present, present-day, abiding and ageless.

What is the opposite of "Ongoing"?

Antonyms of "Ongoing" include arrested, ended, halted, stalled and stopped. Near antonyms include receding, regressing, retrogressing and coming.

How do you use "Ongoing" in a sentence?

Examples of "Ongoing" in a sentence: "we do seem to be making some headway on that ongoing project"; "the ever ongoing quest for knowledge by men and women of science"; "the ongoing presidential campaign".

Is "Ongoing" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Ongoing" is an adjective.

Is "Ongoing" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Ongoing" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+. It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts.

How do you pronounce "Ongoing"?

"Ongoing" is pronounced /ˈȯn-ˌgō-iŋ/ and divided into syllables as on·go·ing.