on

SayON/ɑn/UK/ɒn/

64 meanings of on

1
surface contactpreposition
Touching the top or outside of something, or fixed to it, as in on the table or on the wall.
There is a big red stain on my white shirt.
She stuck a photo of her family on the fridge.
UsageSay on the wall and on the table, but in the box.
Note
2
datepreposition
Used with days and dates to say when, as in 'on Monday'.
I was born on the fourth of July.
See you on Monday.
UsageSay on Monday (not ~~incorrect: in Monday~~), but in June.
3
preposition
In or at a place or position, as in on the island, on Main Street or on the left.
My aunt runs a small shop on the corner of our street.
Our seats were on the left side of the plane, by the window.
UsageSay on Main Street, but at 12 Main Street.
4
topicpreposition
Used to say what subject something is about.
Our teacher gave a short talk on healthy eating.
He asked for my advice on buying a used car.
UsageSay a book on history or a talk on health.
Similarabout, concerning, regarding
5
via a mediumpreposition
Using or through a medium such as TV, the phone, or the internet.
We watched the football game on TV last night.
She talks to her grandma on the phone every Sunday.
UsageSay on TV and on the phone, but in the newspaper.
Similarover
6
preposition
Used to show who or what is affected by something, as in a tax on fuel or pressure on the team.
The new tax on sugar makes soft drinks cost more.
The long, bumpy trip was hard on the children.
UsageSay an effect on and a tax on.
Similarupon
7
preposition
Used to show who or what someone or something depends on.
Many families rely on the bus to get to work.
She agreed to lend him the car on one condition.
UsageSay depend on and rely on (not ~~incorrect: depend of~~).
Similarupon
8
preposition
Taking part in a particular activity or duty at the time.
My dad is on holiday in Spain this week.
The guard is on duty until six in the morning.
UsageSay on holiday, on duty, on strike.
9
adverb
Forward, further along, or continuing, as in 'drive on' or 'from now on'.
The bus was full, so we walked on to the next stop.
Keep on reading until you reach the end of the page.
UsageSay go on or carry on to mean continue.
Similaronward, forward, ahead
10
memberpreposition
Serving as a member of a group such as a jury, board, or team.
Twelve people are on the jury for the trial.
She wants to be on the swim team next year.
UsageSay on the committee or on the team.
11
at a levelprepositionUK
At a certain number, score or level.
Our team are on ten points, two ahead of the next team.
After the first count, the two candidates were on almost the same number of votes.
Similarat
Note
12
at the timepreposition
At the moment when something happens, often as its result, as in 'on arrival'.
On hearing the news, she burst into tears.
On adding ammonia, a reaction begins.
UsageFollowed by a noun or -ing verb: on arrival, on hearing the news.
Similarupon, after
Note
13
preposition
Beside or next to a coast, river, or road, as in 'a town on the Thames'.
We rented a cabin on the coast for the summer.
Stratford is on the Avon.
UsageOften with live: We live on the river.
Similarby, beside, near
Note

Less common meanings

14
operatingadjective
Working, switched on, running, the opposite of 'off'.
The kitchen light is on, so someone must be awake.
Is the heating on?
UsageSay the TV is on or leave the light on.
Similarrunning, operating
Oppositeoff
Note
15
operatingadverb
Into a working state, as in 'turn the television on'.
Can you put the kettle on?
Switch the lights on before you go down.
UsageSay turn on the light (not ~~incorrect: open the light~~).
Oppositeoff
16
preposition
Aboard a bus, train, plane, or bike, as a passenger or rider.
There was no room on the bus.
She arrived on a bicycle.
UsageSay on the bus, but in the car.
Similaraboard
Oppositeoff
17
adjective
Worn or fitted in place, of clothes, lids, and covers.
Keep your coat on, because it's cold in here.
Is the lid on tight, or will the juice spill?
UsageSay with my coat on.
Oppositeoff
Note
18
after put or pulladverb
Into place, so as to cover or fit, as in 'put your hat on'.
Put your coat on before you go outside.
He tried the shoes on, but they were too small.
UsageSay put your hat on or put it on (not ~~incorrect: put on it~~).
Oppositeoff
Note
19
medicationpreposition
Taking a medicine or drug, or feeling its effects.
Grandma has been on heart medicine for years.
He's on blood thinners now.
UsageSay on medication or on antibiotics.
Oppositeoff
Note
20
means of livingpreposition
Used to say what food or money keeps someone alive or going.
The family lived on rice and beans for a month.
Can you really live on what a part-time job pays?
UsageSay live on a small amount of money.
Note
21
preposition
Used to show which part of a body or thing holds it up.
Can you stand on one foot for a whole minute?
The cat lay on its back in the sun.
UsageSay on her knees and on tiptoe.
22
adjective
Happening now, or still going to happen as planned.
Is the picnic still on if it rains?
Hurry up, the show is on now!
UsageSay the game is still on if it will happen.
Similarhappening
Oppositeoff
Note
23
preposition
Because of, or on the basis of, something not yet proved, as in 'on suspicion of'.
He was arrested on suspicion of bribery.
I called her on a hunch.
UsageCommon in arrested on suspicion of something and act on a hunch.
24
carriedprepositioncolloquial
Carried with you, in your pockets, as in 'I have no money on me'.
I always keep a little cash on me for emergencies.
Do you have a pen on you?
UsageUsually with me, you, him, or her: do you have a pen on you?
Similarwith
25
pity or lovepreposition
Toward, of a feeling directed at someone, as in 'have pity on him'.
Have pity on him.
She took pity on the stray.
UsageSay take pity on someone or have mercy on someone.
Similarupon
26
challenge acceptedadjectivecolloquial
Used to tell someone you accept their bet, idea or challenge, most often as "You're on!"
"I bet I can beat you to the corner." "You're on!"
If Jake wants a rematch, he's on.
27
piling uppreposition
Piled on, one after another, as in 'loss on loss'.
There were heaps on heaps of food.
It was loss on loss for the family that year.
UsageSay layer on layer for many layers.
Similarupon, after
28
preposition
At a certain point in a series of steps, as in 'I'm on question four'.
What page are you on in your book?
We're on chapter nine.
UsageUsed with a number or step, as in on page ten or on my third try.
29
preposition
At an exact moment or just before it, as in 'on the stroke of midnight'.
The bell rang on the stroke of midnight.
She was on the point of leaving.
UsageOn time means not late; in time means early enough.
30
adverb
After a certain amount of time has passed.
Twenty years on, the two friends still meet every summer.
A month on, the town is still cleaning up after the flood.
UsageSay ten years on for ten years later.
Similarlater
Oppositeearlier
31
who payspreposition
Paid for by someone, as in 'the drinks are on me'.
The drinks are on me tonight.
Dinner tonight is on my parents.
UsageSay This one's on me when you pay.
32
acceptableadjectivecolloquialUK
OK or acceptable. People mostly use it with "not" to say something is wrong.
Pushing in at the front of the queue just isn't on.
Taking someone else's lunch from the office fridge is not on.
UsageSay That's not on when something is unfair.
Similaracceptable, right
Oppositeunacceptable
Note
33
promise bypreposition
Used to say what you promise by, like your word or your honor.
I promise on my honor that I will pay you back.
She swore on her mother's life that she was telling the truth.
UsageSay on my honor to make a serious promise.
34
list or menupreposition
Used to say that a name or thing is part of a list, menu, plan, or schedule.
Is pizza on the menu tonight?
I'm sorry, but your name isn't on the list.
Oppositeoff
35
preposition
Used before some words, like "fire," "sale," "display," or "loan," to say what state something is in.
Call 911, the house across the street is on fire!
These shoes were on sale, so I bought two pairs.
36
preposition
Against, used mostly when saying how many people are on each side, as in "two on two."
We played two on two in the driveway after dinner.
It was four kids on one, so the teacher stepped in.
UsageSay one on one for one person against one.
Similaragainst, versus
37
adjective
Facing you or facing a certain way, as in 'side on'.
38
adjective
Able to be done or achieved.
39
adjective
Still there for you to have.
40
adjectivecolloquial
In baseball, standing on a base and waiting to run.
41
adjective
In cricket, on the side of the field near the batter's legs.
42
adjective
In snooker, being the next ball you are allowed to hit in.
43
adjective
Speaking and behaving as the character you play.
44
adjectivecolloquial
Always joking or showing off in a tiring way.
45
adjective
Having your period.
46
adverb
Of betting odds, showing something will probably happen.
47
adverb
Of a snooker ball, into a place where it can be knocked into a pocket.
48
preposition
Toward one part of a ship, as in 'on the port bow'.
49
preposition
Used to show what you push, pull or press.
50
preposition
Used to show what you hit or rub against.
51
prepositionUK
When a stated amount of time has passed since something started.
52
preposition
Arrived or getting close, as in 'winter is on us'.
53
prepositionIreland
Used to show who feels hungry, cold or sad.
54
prepositioncolloquial
Used to swear something is true, as in 'on my life'.
55
preposition
According to a certain idea or view, if it is taken as true.
56
preposition
In snooker, able to hit a certain ball in.
57
preposition
In math, of a function, going from a set back into the same set.
58
preposition
Of a math operation, taking a fixed number of items from a set, giving one from that set.
59
preposition
In math, built from a given set of starting items.
60
prepositionrare
Used to show one number split by another.
61
prepositionobsolete
Used to mean 'of'.
Be not jealous on me.
1599, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Iulius Cæsar”
62
prepositionobsolete
With something at risk, or to keep it safe, as in 'on your life'.
63
verbcolloquialMalaysiaNigeriaPhilippinesSingapore
To turn something on.
64
noun
A way of reading a Japanese character that comes from Chinese.

Practice

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Origin

From Old English "on" (meaning on, upon, into), going back to older Germanic and Proto-Indo-European roots. It is related to German "an" and Dutch "aan".

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

English on derives from Old English on, which meant on, upon, and into. en.wiktionary.org
The word has earlier Germanic and Proto-Indo-European roots. en.wiktionary.org
English on is related to German an and Dutch aan. en.wiktionary.org