on
[ on, awn ]
/ ɒn, ɔn /
preposition
so as to be or remain supported by or suspended from: Put your package down on the table; Hang your coat on the hook.
so as to be attached to or unified with: Hang the picture on the wall. Paste the label on the package.
so as to be a covering or wrapping for: Put the blanket on the baby. Put aluminum foil on the lamb chops before freezing them.
in connection, association, or cooperation with; as a part or element of: to serve on a jury.
so as to be a supporting part, base, backing, etc., of: a painting on canvas; mounted on cardboard; legs on a chair.
(used to indicate place, location, situation, etc.): a scar on the face; the book on the table; a house on 19th Street.
(used to indicate immediate proximity): a house on the lake; to border on absurdity.
in the direction of: on the left; to sail on a southerly course.
(used to indicate a means of conveyance or a means of supporting or supplying movement): on the wing; This car runs on electricity. Can you walk on your hands? I'll be there on the noon plane.
by the agency or means of: drunk on wine; talking on the phone; I saw it on television.
in addition to: millions on millions of stars.
with respect or regard to (used to indicate the object of an action directed against or toward): Let's play a joke on him. Write a critical essay on Shakespeare.
in a state or condition of; in the process of: on strike; The house is on fire!
subject to: a doctor on call.
engaged in or involved with: He's on the second chapter now.
(used to indicate a source or a person or thing that serves as a source or agent): a duty on imported goods; She depends on her friends for encouragement.
(used to indicate a basis or ground): on my word of honor; The movie is based on the book.
(used to indicate risk or liability): on pain of death.
(used to indicate progress toward or completion of an objective): We completed the project on budget.
assigned to or occupied with; operating: Who's on the switchboard this afternoon?
Informal.
so as to disturb or affect adversely: My hair dryer broke on me.
Informal.
paid for by, especially as a treat or gift: Dinner is on me.
taking or using as a prescribed measure, cure, or the like: The doctor had her on a low-salt diet.
regularly taking or addicted to: He was on drugs for two years.
Informal.
with; carried by: I have no money on me.
(used to indicate time or occasion): on Sunday; We demand cash on delivery.
(used to indicate the object or end of motion): to march on the capital.
(used to indicate the object or end of action, thought, desire, etc.): to gaze on a scene.
(used to indicate subject, reference, or respect): views on public matters.
(used to indicate an encounter): The pickpocket crept up on a victim.
adverb
in, into, or onto a position of being supported or attached: Sew the buttons on.
in, into, or onto a position of covering or wrapping: Put your raincoat on.
fast to a thing, as for support: Hold on!
toward a place, point, activity, or object: to look on while others work.
forward, onward, or along, as in any course or process: further on.
with continuous activity: to work on.
into or in active operation or performance: Turn the gas on.
adjective
operating or in use: The television set was on. Is your brake on?
taking place; occurring: Don't you know there's a war on?
performing or broadcasting: The radio announcer told us we were on.
Informal.
- behaving in a theatrical, lively, or ingratiating way: Around close friends, one doesn't have to be on every minute.
- functioning or performing at one's best: When she's on, no other tennis player is half as good.
scheduled or planned: Anything on after supper?
Baseball.
positioned on a base or bases: They had two men on when he hit the home run.
Cricket.
noting that side of the wicket, or of the field, on which the batsman stands.
noun
Cricket.
the on side.
Idioms for on
on and off,
off(def 54a).
on and on,
at great length, so as to become tiresome: They rambled on and on about their grandchildren.
on the bow, Nautical.
bow3(def 8).
on to,
aware of the true nature, motive, or meaning of: I'm on to your little game.
Origin of on
before 900; Middle English
on, an, Old English: on, in, to; cognate with Dutch
aan, German
an, Old Norse
ā, Gothic
ana; akin to Greek
aná up, upon (see
ana-)
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH on
on on to ontoWords nearby on
Words related to on and on
British Dictionary definitions for on and on (1 of 3)
British Dictionary definitions for on and on (2 of 3)
ON
abbreviation for
Old Norse
(esp in postal addresses) Ontario
British Dictionary definitions for on and on (3 of 3)
on
/ (ɒn) /
preposition
in contact or connection with the surface of; at the upper surface of
an apple on the ground; a mark on the table cloth
attached to
a puppet on a string
carried with
I've no money on me
in the immediate vicinity of; close to or along the side of
a house on the sea; this verges on the ridiculous!
within the time limits of a day or date
he arrived on Thursday
being performed upon or relayed through the medium of
what's on the television?
at the occasion of
on his retirement
used to indicate support, subsistence, contingency, etc
he lives on bread; it depends on what you want
- regularly taking (a drug)she's on the pill
- addicted tohe's on heroin
by means of (something considered as a mode of transport) (esp in such phrases as on foot, on wheels, on horseback, etc)
in the process or course of
on a journey; on strike
concerned with or relating to
a tax on potatoes; a programme on archaeology
used to indicate the basis, grounds, or cause, as of a statement or action
I have it on good authority
against: used to indicate opposition
they marched on the city at dawn
used to indicate a meeting or encounter
he crept up on her
(used with an adjective preceded by the)
indicating the manner or way in which an action is carried out
on the sly; on the cheap
informal
- staked or wagered as a betten pounds on that horse
- charged tothe drinks are on me
(usually followed by it) Australian
drinking alcoholic liquor
informal, or dialect
to the loss or disadvantage of
the old car gave out on us
adverb (often used as a particle)
in the position or state required for the commencement or sustained continuation, as of a mechanical operation
the radio's been on all night
attached to, surrounding, or placed in contact with something
the girl had nothing on
taking place
what's on tonight?
in a manner indicating continuity, persistence, concentration, etc
don't keep on about it; the play went on all afternoon
in a direction towards something, esp forwards; so as to make progress
we drove on towards London; march on!
on and off or off and on
intermittently; from time to time
on and on
without ceasing; continually
adjective
functioning; operating
turn the switch to the on position
(postpositive) informal
- performing, as on stageI'm on in five minutes
- definitely taking placethe match is on for Friday; their marriage is still on
- tolerable, practicable, acceptable, etcyour plan just isn't on
- (of a person) willing to do something
on at informal
nagging
she was always on at her husband
cricket
(of a bowler) bowling
noun
cricket
- (modifier) relating to or denoting the leg side of a cricket field or pitchthe on side; an on drive
- (in combination) used to designate certain fielding positions on the leg sidelong-on; mid-on
Word Origin for on
Old English
an, on; related to Old Saxon
an, Old High German, Gothic
ana
Idioms and Phrases with on and on
on and on
Continuously, persistently, without stopping, as in On and on they rode for three whole days. Also see go on and on.