English · Common Verbs
returning
/rɪˈtɜːrnɪŋ/
[/rɪˈtɜːrnɪŋ/]
present participle of return
Beginnerverb
Definition
Present participle of 'return': showing that someone is coming back or giving back now.
Example
The birds are returning from the south now that the days are growing longer and warmer.
The birds are returning from the south now that the days are growing longer and warmer.
Etymology
From Latin 're-' and 'tornare', with the '-ing' ending forming the present participle.
How & Where It’s Used
Used with forms of 'be' for continuous tenses; 'returning customer' uses it as a modifier.