on1
/ɒn
/preposition
1Physically in contact with and supported by (a surface): on the table was a water jug she was lying on the floor a sign on the front gate...
- There was a crystal vase filled with flowers on the table.
- I was standing on a chair in front of the mirror while Mother dressed me and combed my hair.
- She felt his hands on her shoulders.
1.1Located somewhere in the general surface area of (a place): an internment camp on the island the house on the corner...
- Nearly every town on the coast and islands has an equipped marina.
- The only surviving Georgian house on the street was semi-derelict.
- He tracks them through the forest and marshlands and finally finds that they have taken refuge inside a shack on the riverbank.
1.2As a result of accidental physical contact with: he banged his head on a beam...
- While walking he stubbed his toe on a sharp rock.
- I am glad I didn't cut myself on the broken glass.
- He did his best not to cut himself on the jagged edge of the can.
1.3Supported by (a part of the body): he was lying on his back...
- Kelly underwent 11 major surgeries and spent long hours stretched out on her back, on a morphine drip.
- Why do flamingos stand on one leg?
- The longest recorded duration for balancing on one foot is 76 hours 40 minutes.
Synonyms
supported by, resting on, in contact with
1.4On to: put it on the table...
- He put the empty bottle on the desk.
- I put my hand on his shoulder.
- Hang your coat on the hook there and let's go to the kitchen for tea.
Synonyms
on to
1.5In the possession of; being carried by: she only had a few pounds on her...
- He reached into his pocket, only to discover that he didn't have his wallet on him.
- I'll give you my agent's number, but I don't have it on me right now.
- If they do not have any money on them, the police take them to the police station.
2Forming a distinctive or marked part of the surface of: a scratch on her arm a smile on her face...
- I looked in the mirror and noticed a mark on my chest.
- My son has a bruise on his forehead.
- I've got a nasty scratch on my car.
3Having (the thing mentioned) as a topic; about: a book on careers...
- The details on side effects are listed in Table 2 of the online supplement.
- I attempted to understand the articles on cricket but failed miserably.
- I want to write a book on how to eat properly.
3.1Having (the thing mentioned) as a basis: a constitution modelled on America’s...
- The film is based on a true story.
- How often they remove the snow is dependant on the weather.
- Traditional Cambridge colleges, modelled on monastic cloisters, consist of courts surrounded by walls of individual rooms.
4As a member of (a committee, jury, or other body): they would be allowed to serve on committees...
- I knew he was on the jury but did not talk to him about it.
- He was on several committees and was a former Lord Mayor.
- She served on many advisory councils and boards.
5Having (the thing mentioned) as a target, aim, or focus: five air raids on Schweinfurt thousands marching on Washington her eyes were fixed on his dark profile...
- They're planning an attack on the city.
- The colourful protest marched on the Scottish Parliament.
- They never actually engaged in close combat by firing on the enemy.
6(Often followed by a noun without a determiner) having (the thing mentioned) as a medium for transmitting or storing information: put your ideas down on paper stored on the client’s own computer...
- All of these films are available in restored, good quality editions and most are now available on DVD.
- I spent a lot time driving and listening to books on tape.
- I have the whole series on tape.
6.1Being broadcast by (a radio or television channel): a new twelve-part TV series on Channel 4...
- One of my favourite sketch shows is being repeated on radio four at the moment.
- The show will be broadcast on CBS on December 26th.
- He is transfixed by footage of riots showing on Sky News.
7In the course of (a journey): he was on his way to see his mother...
- I stopped to pick up a gallon of milk on my way home from work.
- I'm on my way right now.
- Her symptoms grew increasingly bad during the two-week holiday and her leg became very painful on the trip back to Manchester.
7.1While travelling in (a public vehicle): John got some sleep on the plane...
- I picked up a copy of the magazine to read on the plane this week.
- They both had their knapsacks stolen on the train.
- The boys fall asleep on the train.
7.2On to (a public vehicle) with the intention of travelling in it: we got on the train...
- I had a great deal of apprehension getting on the plane to fly to Japan.
- Peg and Matt enjoy being able to hop on the train to Chicago to go to a lecture or eat at a trendy restaurant.
- I met him for the first time three weeks ago, when we climbed on the buses to head out to our units.
8Indicating the day or part of a day during which an event takes place: reported on September 26 on a very hot evening in July...
- On the first Monday following Twelfth Night, the corn dolly would be ploughed back into the soil so that its spirit would be released and ensure a good harvest.
- Despite the protests, the secrecy of proceedings and the bitter collapse of talks on the last day, progress was made.
- On Saturday night we went to a football match.
8.1At the time of: she was booed on arriving home...
- Rowena was surprised to find, on walking into the meeting room at the hotel, that most of her co-workers had already arrived.
- He had a commission in the RAF and on leaving in 1990 he joined the Territorial Army.
- The team was given a great reception on arrival back in Swinford with the Cup.
9Engaged in: his attendant was out on errands...
- Susan was called out of town on business.
- Jim's just been on holiday in Scotland.
- She had been on leave caring for a sick child.
10Regularly taking (a drug or medicine): he is on morphine to relieve the pain...
- I was on heavy duty painkillers for 48 hours.
- Is it safe for her to be on antibiotics for so long?
- Her son had been on drugs for nine years and was desperate to get rid of the habit.
11Paid for by: the drinks are on me...
- Order what you want from any menu. It's all on the house.
- The football tickets for the match tomorrow are on you! I'll buy the drinks!
- If ever we're in the same city, dinner's on me.
12Added to: a few pence on the electricity bill is nothing compared with your security...
- One hundred pounds a year extra on the insurance is not a lot at all.
- It's all too easy to agree to an extra few pounds on the bill, but that could be costly mistake.
- We can put another $50 on the course fees.
adverb
1Physically in contact with and supported by a surface: make sure the lid is on...
- Can I get into the car when the cover is on?
- He put the tops on and sealed both glass bottles.
- Rinse them in hot water and screw on the lids.
1.1(Of clothing) being worn by a person: sitting with her coat on...
- They all put their jackets on and headed down the driveway.
- With my glasses on I can read signs very far away.
- ‘What did she have on?’ I asked. ‘A pink top and a blue-jean skirt,’ he said.
2Indicating continuation of a movement or action: she burbled on he drove on and so on...
- They ran on, and eventually came into a long hallway.
- We started at seven in the morning, worked on without a break until twelve, then, after an hour for lunch, continued again until half-past five.
- I started competing at 16 and carried on until I was 35.
Synonyms
interminably, at length, for a long time, continuously, endlessly, ceaselessly, without a pause/break
2.1Further forward; in an advanced state: I’ll see you later on time’s getting on...
- I need to lock the door, now the evening's drawing on.
- A year on, most have returned to their previous lives.
- Nearly three months on, some of the building work is still not complete.
3(Of an event) taking place or being presented: what’s on at the May Festival there’s a good film on this afternoon...
- The City Theatre has a new play on.
- There's a war on, and everybody has to make sacrifices.
- I wonder what's on at the movies tonight.
3.1Due to take place as planned: the match is still on...
- They decided not to have an election. Now it's on again.
- Ok guys, the party's on!
- Are we still on for that drink in July?
4(Of an electrical appliance or power supply) functioning: they always left the lights on...
- My dad turned the radio on and proceeded to restlessly channel-surf.
- Soon more and more houses will have their electricity on, and life will get back to normal.
- Parents often keep the television on while feeding, dressing, or playing with their children.
Synonyms
functioning, in operation, working, in use, operating
5(Of an actor) on stage.His understudy had to go on for Act II....
- That's your cue. You're on.
- She is on for the first 19 minutes of the show.
5.1(Of an employee) working; on duty.I took midnight to 4am and he was on until 8am....
- I'm on until we close, probably around four in the morning if the crowd keeps up like this.
- Abby explains she's on all day as a medical student.
noun
(also on side) Cricket The leg side.Playing a ball pitched on the off stump to the on side was satisfying....
- This forced the spinners to bowl a straighter line, and gave him access to the less-protected on side whenever they erred in length.
- He bowled too many loose deliveries down the on side, to batsmen who were strong off their legs, and much of the batting left a lot to be desired.
Phrases
be on about
be on at someone
it's not on
on and off
on and on
on it
on for young and old
on with
what are you on?
you're on
11
See also on to.
Origin
Old English on, an, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch aan and German an, from an Indo-European root shared by Greek ana.
Rhymes
ON2
abbreviation
Ontario (in official postal use).
ON3
abbreviation
Old Norse.