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 sibling drama, meanwhile, rather fades out of view amid these loftier goings-on; the film’s narrative begins to feel devised by the old parlor game Consequences, repeatedly wrenched in erratic new directions. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026

She’s given a worthy avatar in Mason, who brings an appropriately surreal understanding to the goings-on in Effie’s life, but never turns Effie into a caricature. — Charles Lewis Iii, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026

Hewitt likes to share updates on her and Scottie’s goings-on, and recently posted cute photos from her baby daughter’s first pool sesh. — Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Aug. 2026

Jackie’s rise to reality stardom began after Friends of Big Bear Valley installed a webcam in 2015 to capture the goings-on of her parents’ nest. — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 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