on
preposition/ɒn/
/ɑːn/
For the special uses of on in phrasal verbs, look at the entries for the verbs. For example turn on somebody is in the phrasal verb section at turn.- in or into a position covering, touching or forming part of a surface
- a picture on a wall
- There's a mark on your skirt.
- the diagram on page 5
- Put it down on the table.
- He had been hit on the head.
- She climbed on to the bed.
- supported by somebody/something
- She was standing on one foot.
- Try lying on your back.
- Hang your coat on that hook.
- used to show a means of transport
- He was on the plane from New York.
- to travel on the bus/tube/coach
- I came on my bike.
- a woman on horseback
- by means of something; using something
- She played a tune on her guitar.
- The information is available on the internet.
- We spoke on the phone.
- What's on TV?
- The programme's on Channel 4.
- used to show a day or date
- He came on Sunday.
- We meet on Tuesdays.
- on May the first/the first of May
- on the evening of May the first
- on one occasion
- on your birthday
- used to describe an activity or a state
- to be on business/holiday/vacation
- The book is currently on loan.
- used to show direction
- on the left/right
- He turned his back on us.
- at or near a place
- a town on the coast
- a house on the Thames
- We lived on an estate.
- used to show the basis or reason for something
- a story based on fact
- On their advice I applied for the job.
- immediately after something
- On arriving home I discovered they had gone.
- Please report to reception on arrival.
- There was a letter waiting for him on his return.
- about something/somebody
- a book on South Africa
- She tested us on irregular verbs.
- used to show that somebody belongs to a group or an organization
- to be on the committee/staff/jury/panel
- Whose side are you on (= which of two or more different views do you support)?
- eating or drinking something; using a drug or a medicine regularly
- He lived on a diet of junk food.
- The doctor put me on antibiotics.
- paid for by something
- to live on a pension/a student grant
- to be on a low wage
- You can't feed a family on £50 a week.
- Drinks are on me (= I am paying).
- used when giving a phone number
- You can get me on 020 7946 0887.
- She's on extension 2401.
- used with some nouns or adjectives to say who or what is affected by something
- a ban on smoking
- He's hard on his kids.
- Go easy on the mayo! (= do not take/give me too much)
- being carried by somebody; in the possession of somebody
- Have you got any money on you?
- compared with somebody/something
- Sales are up on last year.
Word OriginOld English on, an, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch aan and German an, from an Indo-European root shared by Greek ana.
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on