up-and-coming

1 of 2

adjective

up-and-com·​ing ˌəp-ən(d)-ˈkə-miŋ How to pronounce up-and-coming (audio)
ˌəp-ᵊm-
: gaining prominence and likely to advance or succeed
an up-and-coming young actor
up-and-comer
ˌəp-ən(d)-ˈkə-mər How to pronounce up-and-coming (audio)
ˌəp-ᵊm-
noun

up-and-comer

2 of 2

noun

: comer sense 2

Examples of up-and-coming in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
This team has a lot of up-and-coming talent, a deep pipeline and cap space to work with. — Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 27 June 2026 This year’s biggest up-and-coming swim styles stay close to the major trends taking over right now. — Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 23 June 2026 Historically, the John Deere has been a showcase for up-and-coming stars, longshots and veterans. — Geoff Clark Outkick, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026 Companies that cannot move their headquarters can consider a satellite office, pilot location or another arm of the business in an up-and-coming market. — Brett Bultje, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for up-and-coming

Word History

Etymology

Noun

up-and-coming + -er

First Known Use

Adjective

1926, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of up-and-coming was in 1926

Rhymes for up-and-coming

See All Rhymes for up-and-coming

Browse Nearby Words

up-and-comer
up-and-coming
up-and-down
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Up-and-coming.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/up-and-coming. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on up-and-coming

Nglish: Translation of up-and-coming for Spanish Speakers

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