online

adjective

on·​line ˈȯn-ˈlīn  ˈän-ˈlīn 

: connected to, served by, or available through a system and especially a computer or telecommunications system (such as the Internet)

an online database

also : done while connected to such a system

online shopping

online games

online searching

online adverb

Examples of online in a Sentence

The city libraries are all online.

He likes to engage in online chats.

Recent Examples on the Web

Or, if a student is learning from home, but through an online course of study, is their home their school? —Michael McShane, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025

The online Monopoly game features a jackpot prize that begins at $150,000 and keeps growing until there is a winner. —Mike Stunson, Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2025

While online backlash to American Eagle’s Sydney Sweeney ad has cooled, new data from Pass_by suggests the impact may still be unfolding in malls during back-to-school season. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 14 Aug. 2025

The online response is beyond anything Vincent was expecting. —Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for online

• affine
• airline
• align
• aline
• assign
• baseline
• beamline
• benign
• bloodline
• bovine
• byline
• canine

Kids Definition

online

adjective

ˈȯn-ˈlīn,

ˈän-

: relating to or connected to a computer or telecommunications system (as the Internet)

an online database

online adverb