on

¹on

prep \ˈȯn, ˈän\

Definition of ON

1

a —used as a function word to indicate position in contact with and supported by the top surface of <the book is lying on the table> b —used as a function word to indicate position in or in contact with an outer surface <the fly landed on the ceiling> <I have a cut on my finger> <paint on the wall> c —used as a function word to indicate position in close proximity with <a village on the sea> <stay on your opponent> d —used as a function word to indicate the location of something <on the left> <on the south side of the house> <on the farm>

2

a —used as a function word to indicate a source of attachment or support <on a string> <stand on one foot> <hang it on a nail> b —used as a function word to indicate a source of dependence <you can rely on me> <feeds on insects> <lives on a pension> c —used as a function word to indicate means of conveyance <on the bus> d —used as a function word to indicate presence in the possession of <had a knife on him>

3

—used as a function word to indicate a time frame during which something takes place <a parade on Sunday> or an instant, action, or occurrence when something begins or is done <on cue> <on arriving home, I found your letter> <news on the hour> <cash on delivery>

4

archaic : of

5

a —used as a function word to indicate manner of doing something ; often used with the <on the sly> <keep everything on the up-and-up> b —used as a function word to indicate means or agency <cut myself on a knife> <talk on the telephone> c —used as a function word to indicate a medium of expression <on stage> <best show on television>

6

a (1) —used as a function word to indicate active involvement in a condition or status <on the increase> <on the lookout> (2) : regularly using or showing the effects of using <on drugs> b —used as a function word to indicate involvement or participation <on tour> <on the team> <on duty> c —used as a function word to indicate inclusion <put it on the agenda> d —used as a function word to indicate position or status in proper relationship with a standard or objective <on schedule>

7

a —used as a function word to indicate reason, ground, or basis (as for an action, opinion, or computation) <I have it on good authority> <on one condition> <the interest will be 10 cents on the dollar> b —used as a function word to indicate the cause or source <profited on the sale of stock> c —used as a function word to indicate the focus of obligation or responsibility <drinks are on the house> <put the blame on me>

8

a —used as a function word to indicate the object of collision, opposition, or hostile action <bumped my head on a limb> <an attack on religion> <pulled a gun on me> b —used as a function word to indicate the object with respect to some disadvantage, handicap, or detriment <has three inches in height on me> <a 3-game lead on the second-place team> <the joke's on me>

9

a —used as a function word to indicate destination or the focus of some action, movement, or directed effort <crept up on him> <feast your eyes on this> <working on my skiing> <made a payment on the loan> b —used as a function word to indicate the focus of feelings, determination, or will <have pity on me> <keen on sports> <a curse on you> c —used as a function word to indicate the object with respect to some misfortune or disadvantageous event <the crops died on them> d —used as a function word to indicate the subject of study, discussion, or consideration <a book on insects> <reflect on that a moment> <agree on price> e : with respect to <go light on the salt> <short on cash>

10

—used as a function word to indicate reduplication or succession in a series <loss on loss>

Examples of ON

1. There is a lot of frosting on the cake.
2. <books on sports heroes are my favorite reading matter>

Origin of ON

Middle English an, on, preposition & adverb, from Old English; akin to Old High German ana on, Greek ana up, on

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to ON

Synonyms: apropos, apropos of, as far as, as for, as regards (also as respects), as to, concerning, of, about, regarding, respecting, touching, toward (or towards)

Related Words: over

see all synonyms and antonyms

[+]more[-]hide

Rhymes with ON

ban, Bonn, chon, con, conn, dawn, don, Don, drawn, faun, fawn, gone, guan, Jon, khan, maun, mon, pan, pawn, prawn, Shan, spawn, swan, wan, yawn, yon, yuan