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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>4archaic : of5 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>
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