What does arrival mean?
Arrival is a noun denoting the act or moment of reaching a destination, whether by a person, vehicle, message, or object. It is one of the most versatile everyday words in English, appearing in contexts as varied as travel ('the flight's arrival was delayed'), logistics ('check the delivery's arrival date'), and social occasions ('we welcomed the guests' arrival'). Beyond physical movement, arrival is frequently used figuratively to describe the coming of abstract things — an idea, a season, a new technology, or a turning point in history. The word carries no strong emotional charge by itself; its connotation depends entirely on context, so an arrival can be eagerly awaited or dreaded. Derived ultimately from the Latin 'ripa', meaning riverbank, arrival preserves a vivid image of journeying and reaching shore. Its clarity and breadth make it indispensable in both spoken and written English.
nounThe act or fact of arriving at a place; the coming of a person, vehicle, or thing to a destination. Also used figuratively for the emergence or attainment of something new.
- The act of arriving at a place or destination
- The coming into existence or prominence of something new (e.g., 'the arrival of spring')
"Her arrival at the station was met with warm applause."
"We waited on the platform until the arrival of the last train."
"The arrival of digital photography transformed the industry almost overnight."
Standard plural form, used when referring to multiple instances of arriving, such as flight arrivals or new arrivals.
"The airport board listed all incoming arrivals for the evening."
Arrival literally once meant 'reaching the riverbank' — it comes from the Latin 'ripa', meaning shore.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of arrival
Arrival derives from the verb 'arrive', which entered English in the Middle Ages via Old French 'ariver'. The Old French term traces back to Vulgar Latin '*arripare', formed from the prefix 'a-' plus 'ripa', meaning 'riverbank' or 'shore' — so to arrive originally meant to reach land after a sea voyage. The noun 'arrival' developed later from this verb, following the common English pattern of forming nouns of action with the '-al' suffix. Cognates sharing the same Latin root include 'river' and 'rival'.
Related word forms
How arrival is actually used
Neutral in register and suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Often used figuratively to mark beginnings or turning points, as in 'the arrival of a new era'.
Easily confused with arrival
Arrogance means haughty pride, while arrival refers to the act of reaching a destination; they share only a superficial sound similarity.