come-on

1 of 2

noun

ˈkəm-ˌȯn 

-ˌän

1

: something (such as an advertising promotion) intended to entice or allure

2

: a usually sexual advance

come on

2 of 2

verb

came on; come on; coming on; comes on

intransitive verb

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

Synonyms

Noun

• allurement
• bait
• enticement
• lure
• siren song
• temptation
• turn-on

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

Noun

For many, the card looked like a come-on or a scam. —George Skelton, The Mercury News, 11 June 2024

Books Is Madonna a game-changing feminist or capitalist come-on? —Chris Vognar, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2023

Verb

This project’s development is rare in the current state of the industry, in which many studios are looking for a big splashy package full of talent before coming on board. —Justin Kroll, Deadline, 18 July 2024

Time will tell if the arena DJs keep playing the hit, or listen to Curry and pull back following the team’s next exhibition contest, which comes on July 22 against Germany in London. —Michael Saponara, Billboard, 18 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1902, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Legal 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