How Do You Spell OFFING?

Pronunciation: [ˈɒfɪŋ] (IPA)

The word "offing" is spelled with two F's, despite being pronounced as "aw-fing". This discrepancy can be explained using IPA phonetic transcription, where the "F" sound is represented by the symbol /f/. The letter "O" is pronounced as "aw" and can be transcribed as /ɔ/. Therefore, the word "offing" is spelled with two F's to represent the /f/ sound, even though it may not be immediately apparent to English speakers based on its pronunciation.

OFFING Meaning and Definition

1. The term "offing" is a noun that refers to the area of the sea or ocean that is visible from the shore but is still a considerable distance away. It is often used in the expression "in the offing," which means that something is likely to happen or is expected in the near future.

   In a more specific context, "offing" can also refer to the area or space that is just offstage in a theater or performance. It is the area where actors or props are placed before they enter the main stage to perform.

   The term "offing" originated from the Old English word "ofing" which means "the part of the sea that is visible from shore." It has been used in this sense since the 17th century.

   The phrase "in the offing" carries a sense of anticipation or expectation. It suggests that something is about to take place or is likely to happen soon. For example, one might say "a promotion is in the offing" to indicate that it is highly probable or expected.

   Overall, "offing" is a term that describes the distance between the shore and a visible area of sea or the backstage area of a theater. Its use in various contexts conveys the sense of something impending or expected.

2. • That part of the sea at a distance from the shore having deep water.

   • Moving offshore; steering from the land.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for OFFING

• oming
• offeing
• ofmine
• offica
• orfin
• offile
• offi
• offive
• afting
• offreing
• oftin
• ofline
• gofing
• ouzing
• offico
• ooing
• roffing
• offtin
• offide
• coufing
• sufing
• offeirng
• loffing
• oving
• ofind
• fiing
• offic
• ozing
• faing
• olfine
• offial
• officne
• officw
• foing
• ofering
• offens
• ffine
• offilne
• offiec
• coffing
• oening
• omming
• offince
• offerng
• ofusing
• offen
• rofing
• offenc
• osing
• offin
• zoffig
• toffing
• orbing
• hoffing
• boffing
• offlyng
• toffig
• Soffinn
• Coffling
• Boeffing
• Offirr
• KDFing
• Unoffing
• Boffeing
• Bohfing
• ofsping
• Roffintg
• Offning
• Moffing
• Offonn
• Rofffing
• Ooffling
• kowfing

Etymology of OFFING

The word "offing" originated from the Middle English term "of, af", which means "away, off". This Middle English term can be attributed to several sources, including Old English "of" and Old Norse "af". These sources ultimately trace back to the Proto-Germanic root "af", which carries a similar meaning of "away from". Over time, "of, af" evolved into the term "off", which not only evolved to retain its original meaning of "away, off" but also came to represent the sea or water, specifically in contexts where something is at a distance from the shore. From "off", the term "offing" was formed, referring to that part of the sea visible from the shore, typically designed as a distance from the shore where ships are seen.

Idioms with the word OFFING

• in the offing The idiom "in the offing" means that something is likely to happen or is expected to occur in the near future. It refers to an event or situation that is imminent or just around the corner.

Plural form of OFFING is OFFINGS