1
: something (such as an advertising promotion) intended to entice or allure
2
: a usually sexual advance
came on; come on; coming on; comes on
1
a
: to advance by degrees
darkness came on
b
: to begin by degrees
rain came on toward noon
2
a
: please
—used in cajoling or pleading
b
—used interjectionally to express astonishment, incredulity, or recognition of a put-on
3
: to project an indicated personal image
comes on as a conservative
4
: to show sexual interest in someone
also
: to make sexual advances
—usually used with to
tried to come on to her
Examples of come-on in a Sentence
Noun
the spectacular sale was enough of a come-on to get many shoppers to try the store for the first time
Recent Examples on the Web
Julie Beck, The Atlantic, 11 May 2025
Fully in his alpha flirt mode, Harlow starts out making eyes at Doja from across the room, trying to rope her in with some subtle come-ons.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 21 Mar. 2025
Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
The shelter's Facebook post about DJ came on Tuesday last week, June 17, and animal lovers quickly spread the word about the adorable dog for adoption.
—Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for come-on
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Noun
As the sketch went on, Alby delivered menus and mimosas alongside increasingly lewd double entendres and come-ons, all Southern charm and jutting hips.
—Julie Beck, The Atlantic, 11 May 2025
Fully in his alpha flirt mode, Harlow starts out making eyes at Doja from across the room, trying to rope her in with some subtle come-ons.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
Other companies, like Niche, Concourse and SAGE Scholars have also entered the market, and an increasing number of colleges have come on board.
—Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
The shelter's Facebook post about DJ came on Tuesday last week, June 17, and animal lovers quickly spread the word about the adorable dog for adoption.
—Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for come-on
Cite this Entry
“Come-on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/come-on. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
come on
intransitive verb
: to be brought forward (as a case in court)
the first prize case of the war…came on for trial—W. G. Young
W. G. YoungLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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