right-on

[ rahyt-on, -awn ]
/ ˈraɪtˈɒn, -ˈɔn /

adjective Slang.

exactly right or to the point.
up-to-date; relevant: a right-on movie that shows conditions as they really are.

Origin of right-on

An Americanism dating back to 1965–70

Definition for right on (2 of 2)

Origin of right

before 900; (noun and adj.) Middle English; Old English reht, riht; cognate with Dutch, German recht, Old Norse rēttr, Gothic raihts; akin to Latin rēctus, Old Irish recht law, Greek orektós upright; (v.) Middle English righten, Old English rihtan, cognate with Old Frisian riuchta, German richten, Old Norse rētta; (adv.) Middle English; Old English rihte

usage note for right

47. Right in the sense of “very, extremely” is either archaic or dialectal. It is most common in informal speech and writing: It's right cold this morning. The editor knew right well where the story had originated.

OTHER WORDS FROM right

right·a·ble, adjective half-right, adjective, noun un·right·a·ble, adjective un·right·ed, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH right

right righteous rightful right rite wright write

British Dictionary definitions for right on (1 of 2)

right on

interjection

slang, mainly US and Canadian an exclamation of full agreement, concurrence, or compliance with the wishes, words, or actions of another

adjective right-on

informal modern, trendy, and socially aware or relevant right-on green politics

British Dictionary definitions for right on (2 of 2)

Derived forms of right

righter, noun

Word Origin for right

Old English riht, reoht; related to Old High German reht, Gothic raihts, Latin rēctus

Idioms and Phrases with right on (1 of 2)

right on

An exclamation of enthusiasm or encouragement, as in You've said it really well—right on! This interjection has a disputed origin. Some believe it comes from African-American slang (it was recorded in Odum and Johnson's The Negro and His Songs, 1925); others feel it is a shortening of right on target, used by military airmen, or right on cue, theatrical slang for saying the right lines at the right time. [Slang; first half of 1900s] Also see way to go.

Idioms and Phrases with right on (2 of 2)

right