imminent

adjective ee-mee-NON Rare

Origin: Latin 'imminere' (to overhang)

Usage Note

Imminent describes something about to happen very soon and typically threatening — un danger imminent, une catastrophe imminente. The feminine is imminente. It should not be confused with éminent ('eminent, distinguished'), which sounds similar and trips up English speakers.

Examples

"Le départ du train est imminent."

Natural Translation

The train's departure is imminent.

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