goings-on

plural noun

go·​ings-on ˌgō-iŋ-ˈzȯn How to pronounce goings-on (audio)
ˌgȯ(-)iŋ-,
-ˈzän
1
2
: irregular or reprehensible happenings or conduct

Examples of goings-on in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web When one former Oxford professor dies, her five most promising students reunite at her funeral and are soon pulled into the implausible goings-on. Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2024 Weird Animal Behaviors During an Eclipse Over the decades since, scientists have documented all sorts of peculiar goings-on during eclipses. Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 19 Mar. 2024 For a summary of all the goings-on at UMG, scroll to the bottom. Marc Schneider, Billboard, 15 Mar. 2024 Even though Meghan Markle and Prince Harry moved all the way to California to get away from the royal drama, the goings-on at Kensington Palace have once again somehow caused controversy for the family of four. Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 13 Mar. 2024 The film’s focus on ritual is often tongue-in-cheek, from extended sequences of actual traditions geared toward forcing Meena to marry Pandi, to more mechanical goings-on, like the repetitive tradition of rope-starting the rickety rickshaw. Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 18 Feb. 2024 Because community is an important aspect of the work of these designers, the people that attended the reception were an important part of the goings-on. Laia Garcia-Furtado, Vogue, 17 Feb. 2024 In London: Fans of Netflix’s The Crown and followers of Windsor goings-on will, via motorcoach, thrill to the descriptive frills of the Royal London Tour with Westminster Abbey and Afternoon Tea. Laura Manske, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024 Now in the fifth year of the U.S. revival of the dark goings-on of a Skid Row flower shop, several notable names have left their mark on the show: Jonathan Groff, Jeremy Jordan, Conrad Ricamora, Corbin Bleu, Constance Wu, Maude Apatow, Tammy Blanchard and Lena Hall. Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'goings-on.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1775, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of goings-on was in 1775

Dictionary Entries Near goings-on

Cite this Entry

“Goings-on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/goings-on. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

goings-on

noun plural
go·​ings-on
ˌgō-iŋ-ˈzȯn,
-ˈän
: actions or events that are taking place

More from Merriam-Webster on goings-on

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!