ongoing

Ongoing means continuing without interruption or a scheduled end. Something that’s described as ongoing has been happening for a while and is expected to continue to happen.

Ongoing is an adjective that’s used to describe situations and actions. Similar terms are continuing and in progress.

Example: I’m so tired of this ongoing argument with Kathy—no matter what I do, it just never stops.

The first records of the word ongoing as an adjective meaning “continuing” come from around the mid-1800s. It was used earlier as a noun meaning “that which is happening or continuing,” much like how we use the term goings-on. The adjective ongoing is based on the verb phrase go on, meaning “to proceed or continue” or “to happen or take place,” as in How long has this been going on? 

If something is ongoing, it’s going on right now, it has been going on, and it will continue to go on. An ongoing relationship is one that two people or parties have been in for a while. Ongoing relationships are sometimes the source of ongoing drama. If police describe an investigation as ongoing, they mean it’s in progress and is planned to continue. An ongoing series on a website or another media platform is one that will continue to be added to, such as with additional articles or episodes.

What are some synonyms for ongoing?

• in progress
• continuing
• continuous

What are some words that share a root or word element with ongoing? 

• on
• go
• goings-on
• easygoing

What are some words that often get used in discussing ongoing?

• current
• developing
• investigation
• series
• debate
• situation
• current

Ongoing can be used in many different contexts to describe things that are in progress or are continuing.

I don't grade anymore. Haven't for a few years now. We develop an ongoing feedback loop, and students grade themselves. It's wonderful to watch them direct their own learning. They take ownership and pride in their work. 1/

— Jessica Zeller (@jessicazeller) April 23, 2020

are you emotionally attached to a show that is currently ongoing to the point where you don’t know what you’re going to do once the show ends or are you normal

— ً (@brightIive) April 28, 2020

I am proud to announce that NASA announced the name of their Mars 2020 Helicopter technology demonstrator as “Ingenuity.” @Qualcomm has had an ongoing relationship with @NASAJPL since 2017, working together on a number of efforts, using our #Snapdragon Flight 801 board.

— Cristiano R. Amon (@cristianoamon) May 1, 2020

Which of the following words is a synonym of ongoing?

A. stalled
B. completed
C. halted
D. none of the above