offing Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the near or foreseeable future
    • there was a wedding in the offing
  2. noun the part of the sea that can be seen from the shore and is beyond the anchoring area
    • there was a ship in the offing
  3. verb kill intentionally and with premeditation
    murder; off; slay; dispatch; remove; hit; bump off; polish off.
    • The mafia boss ordered his enemies murdered

WordNet

Off"ing noun
Etymology
From Off.
Definitions
  1. That part of the sea at a good distance from the shore, or where there is deep water and no need of a pilot; also, distance from the shore; as, the ship had ten miles offing; we saw a ship in the offing. hence, coming, arriving in the near future

Webster 1913