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

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

But so much more happened at and after the Academy Awards last night—and the Vanity Fair team was there to witness all of the best behind-the-scenes moments, from arrivals on the red carpet to the goings-on inside the Dolby Theatre, the Governors Ball, and, finally, our own celebration at LACMA. —Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 16 Mar. 2026

But beyond a fascination with ghoulish goings-on, fans of true crime podcasts connect with the hosts differently from followers of other kinds of interview shows. —Todd Spangler, Variety, 6 Mar. 2026

Did the upstairs house potentially illicit goings-on? —Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1775, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for goings-on

• aileron
• antiphon
• autobahn
• carillon
• castellan
• celadon
• cephalon
• chitosan
• cynodon
• denouement
• deuteron
• echelon

Kids Definition

goings-on

plural noun

go·​ings-on

ˌgō-iŋ-ˈzȯn, 

-ˈän

: actions or events that are taking place