carry-on
1 of 3noun
car·ry-on ˈker-ē-ˌȯn 
ˈka-rē-,
-ˌän
1
British : carrying-on
2
: a piece of luggage suitable for being carried aboard an airplane by a passenger
carry-on
2 of 3adjective
: carried or suitable for being carried aboard
carry-on baggage
carry on
3 of 3verb
carried on; carrying on; carries on
transitive verb
: to continue doing, pursuing, or operating
carry on research
carried on the business
intransitive verb
1
: to continue especially in spite of hindrance or discouragement
chose to carry on despite the weather
2
: to behave or speak in a foolish, excited, or improper manner
shocked at how he carries on
Synonyms
Noun
- carryall
- grip
- handbag
- holdall [chiefly British]
- portmanteau
- suitcase
- traveling bag
- wallet
Verb
- act out
- act up
- misbehave
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb a toddler crying and carrying on in the store she bravely carried on despite the loss of her husband
Recent Examples on the Web
Amy Dickinson, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2022 Your decisions and distribution of assets seem fair (to me), and if this works for you, then carry on! Amy Dickinson, cleveland, 11 Sep. 2022 Your decisions and distribution of assets seem fair (to me), and if this works for you, then carry on! Amy Dickinson, Detroit Free Press, 11 Sep. 2022 The achievements of our species carry on in robot visual artists and musicians, their crafts plied in friendly robot communities. WIRED, 19 Aug. 2022 Grier praised Marchment as a hard worker and said members of San Jose’s staff would carry on their responsibilities at the draft with heavy hearts. Stephen Whyno, San Francisco Chronicle, 6 July 2022 Bradley urges her clients to either carry on or ship. Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 22 June 2022 Below, in her own words, are Wray’s tips for how to carry on with mixed feelings and even find purpose in these challenging times. Heather Hansman, Outside Online, 18 June 2022 The band’s 2022 run kicked off in late May and was about halfway through when Starr announced on June 7 that Winter had COVID-19 but that the band would carry on. Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2022 See More
Verb
Your decisions and distribution of assets seem fair (to me), and if this works for you, then carry on! Amy Dickinson, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2022 Your decisions and distribution of assets seem fair (to me), and if this works for you, then carry on! Amy Dickinson, cleveland, 11 Sep. 2022 Your decisions and distribution of assets seem fair (to me), and if this works for you, then carry on! Amy Dickinson, Detroit Free Press, 11 Sep. 2022 The achievements of our species carry on in robot visual artists and musicians, their crafts plied in friendly robot communities. WIRED, 19 Aug. 2022 Grier praised Marchment as a hard worker and said members of San Jose’s staff would carry on their responsibilities at the draft with heavy hearts. Stephen Whyno, San Francisco Chronicle, 6 July 2022 Bradley urges her clients to either carry on or ship. Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 22 June 2022 Below, in her own words, are Wray’s tips for how to carry on with mixed feelings and even find purpose in these challenging times. Heather Hansman, Outside Online, 18 June 2022 The band’s 2022 run kicked off in late May and was about halfway through when Starr announced on June 7 that Winter had COVID-19 but that the band would carry on. Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
Noun
1890, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adjective
1967, in the meaning defined above
Verb
1638, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
carry-on 1 of 2
noun
as in suitcase
a bag carried by hand and designed to hold a traveler's clothing and personal articles the airline allows two carry-ons per person Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- suitcase
- wallet
- backpack
- luggage
- bags
- handbag
- carryall
- briefcase
- holdall
- traveling bag
- portmanteau
- baggage
- grip
- knapsack
- rucksack
- kit
- weekender
- carpetbag
- packsack
- overnight bag
- attaché
- valise
- haversack
- duffel bag
- kit bag
- weekend bag
- overnight case
- cosmetic case
- traveling case
- attaché case
- weekend case
carry on
2 of 2verb
1
as in to act out
to behave badly a toddler crying and carrying on in the store Synonyms & Similar Words
- act out
- raise hell
- misconduct
- run riot
- act up
- disobey
- raise Cain
- rebel
- misbehave
- cut up
- horse around
- show off
- fool around
- kid (around)
- clown (around)
- roughhouse
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- obey
- act
- conduct
- bear
- move
- quit
- acquit
- contain
- conform
- handle
- comply
- control
- check
- collect
- compose
- curb
- comport
- restrain
- inhibit
- deport
- quiet
- repress
- constrain
- demean
2
as in to persist
to continue despite difficulties, opposition, or discouragement she bravely carried on despite the loss of her husband Synonyms & Similar Words
- persist
- hang in there
- hang on
- persevere
- gut it out
- keep up
- dig in
- knuckle down
- follow through (with)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- give up
- quit
- submit
- knock off
- yield
- bow
- surrender
- succumb
- hang back
- hesitate
- give in
- falter
- vacillate
- waver
- wobble
- wabble
- shilly-shally
3
as in to operate
to look after and make decisions about carries on a business and still manages to run the household Synonyms & Similar Words
- operate
- control
- manage
- handle
- supervise
- oversee
- run
- conduct
- watch over
- regulate
- govern
- keep
- direct
- preside (over)
- guide
- tend
- steward
- administer
- protect
- overlook
- administrate
- superintend
- steer
- watch
- lead
- care (for)
- codirect
- guard
- safeguard
- comanage
- pilot
- mind
- micromanage
- stage-manage