What does ongoing mean?
Ongoing means that something is still continuing, developing, or awaiting completion. It is commonly used for investigations, debates, projects, relationships, and other activities that persist over a period of time. The word often conveys that a situation has not yet reached a final stage, rather than simply that it happens to last a long time. For example, an ongoing investigation may have produced findings, but the investigation itself continues. In legal and administrative contexts, ongoing can also suggest that a matter remains active and may require further attention. Although related to continuous, ongoing more often emphasizes being in progress and not yet finished. Its use is widespread in British and American English and is suitable for both formal and informal writing.
adjectiveContinuing or in the process of happening; not yet finished or completed. It can also describe something that persists over time.
- Continuing or in progress; not yet completed.
"The investigation remains ongoing as officials seek more information."
"The team is working to resolve the ongoing technical issues."
"Her lecture provided an ongoing account of the negotiations."
A project can be ongoing without being continuous: it may pause and resume while remaining unfinished.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does ongoing come from?
Ongoing was formed in the 19th century from the prefix on- and the present participle going, meaning literally “going on.” Its development reflects a broader English tendency to form adjectives with the prefix on-, which can indicate continuation or activity directed toward something. The word shares its underlying verbal root with go, going, and gone, although it is not simply an inflection of those forms.
Related word forms
How ongoing is actually used
Common in formal and informal contexts. It is especially frequent in news, academic, legal, and administrative writing, where it describes a situation, activity, or discussion that continues over time.
Easily confused with ongoing
Continuous means continuing without interruption, whereas ongoing often emphasizes that something is still in progress or has not reached a conclusion.