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Definition of on adverb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

on

adverb
 
 
/ɒn/
 
/ɑːn/
For the special uses of on in phrasal verbs, look at the entries for the verbs. For example get on is in the phrasal verb section at get.Idioms
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  1.  
     on somebody’s body; being worn
    • Put your coat on.
    • I didn't have my glasses on.
    • What did she have on (= what was she wearing)?
  2.  
     covering, touching or forming part of something
    • Make sure the lid is on.
  3.  
     in or into a vehicle
    • The bus stopped and four people got on.
    • They hurried on to the plane.
    see also onto
  4.  
     connected or operating; being used
    • The lights were all on.
    • The TV is always on in their house.
    • We were without electricity for three hours but it's on again now.
  5.  
     used to show that somebody/something moves or is sent forward
    • She stopped for a moment, then walked on.
    • Keep straight on for the beach.
    • From then on he never trusted her again.
    • Please send the letter on to my new address.
  6.  
     used to show that something continues
    • He worked on without a break.
    • If you like a good story, read on.
  7.  
     happening
    • There was a war on at the time.
    • What's on at the movies?
    • The band are on (= performing) in ten minutes.
  8.  
     planned to take place in the future
    • The game is still on (= it has not been cancelled).
    • I don't think we've got anything on this weekend.
    • I'm sorry we can't come—we've got a lot on.
  9.  
     on duty; working
    • I'm on now till 8 tomorrow morning.
    10. Word OriginOld English on, an, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch aan and German an, from an Indo-European root shared by Greek ana.
Idioms
be on about something
  1. (informal) to talk about something; to mean something
    • I didn't know what he was on about. It didn't make sense.
be/go/keep on about something
  1. (informal, disapproving) to talk in a boring or complaining way about something
    • Stop keeping on about it!
be/go/keep on at somebody (to do something)
  1. (informal, disapproving) to keep asking or telling somebody something so that they become annoyed or tired
    • He was on at me again to lend him money.
be on for something
  1. (informal) to want to do something
    • Is anyone on for a drink after work?
it isn’t on
(also it's not on)
  1. (informal) used to say that something is not acceptable
off and on/on and off
  1. from time to time; now and again
    • It rained on and off all day.
on and on
  1. without stopping; continuously
    • She went on and on about her trip.
what are you, etc. on?
  1. (informal) used when you are very surprised at somebody’s behaviour and are suggesting that they are acting in a similar way to somebody using drugs
you’re on
  1. (informal) used when you are accepting a bet
See on in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee on in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
Check pronunciation: on

Nearby words

trait
noun
 
 
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