goings-on

plural noun

go·​ings-on ˌgō-iŋ-ˈzȯn 

ˌgȯ(-)iŋ-, 

-ˈzän

1

: actions, events

the goings-on in the world

2

: irregular or reprehensible happenings or conduct

tales of strange goings-on in that old house

Examples of goings-on in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Cody couldn’t get enough of the goings-on at the station when the two would stop by to drop off cassettes. — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026

But Jen maintains the goings-on in her own kitchen are significantly less refined. — Julie Jordan, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 June 2026

The novel’s intimacy serves as an emotional call to the reader and propels the story as much as the goings-on do. — Cathleen Schine, The New York Review of Books, 19 Mar. 2026

You could be forgiven for ignoring the recent political goings-on in Iowa. — Elaine Godfrey, The Atlantic, 3 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1775, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for goings-on

• anton
• argon
• axon
• baronne
• baryon
• baton
• boron
• buisson
• bygone
• capon
• cardon
• chiffon

Kids Definition

goings-on

plural noun

go·​ings-on

ˌgō-iŋ-ˈzȯn, 

-ˈän

: actions or events that are taking place