EnglishMain Dictionary
on
Universal Words
preposition, adverb
preposition
HELPNOTE For the special uses of on in phrasal verbs, look at the entries for the verbs. For example turn on sb is in the phrasal verb section at turn.
1 in or into a position covering, touching or forming part of a surface:
a picture on a wall * There's a mark on your skirt. * the diagram on page 5 * Put it down on the table. * He had been hit on the head. * She climbed on to the bed.
HELPNOTE This could also be written: onto the bed
2 supported by sb/sth:
She was standing on one foot. * Try lying on your back. * Hang your coat on that hook.
3 used to show a means of transport:
He was on the plane from New York. * to travel on the bus / tube / coach * I came on my bike. * a woman on horseback
4 used to show a day or date:
He came on Sunday. * We meet on Tuesdays. * on May the first / the first of May * on the evening of May the first * on one occasion * on your birthday
5 immediately after sth:
On arriving home I discovered they had gone. * Please report to reception on arrival. * There was a letter waiting for him on his return.
6 about sth/sb:
a book on South Africa * She tested us on irregular verbs.
7 being carried by sb; in the possession of sb:
Have you got any money on you?
8 used to show that sb belongs to a group or an organization:
to be on the committee / staff / jury / panel * Whose side are you on (= which of two or more different views do you support)?
9 eating or drinking sth; using a drug or a medicine regularly:
He lived on a diet of junk food. * The doctor put me on antibiotics.
10 used to show direction:
on the left / right * He turned his back on us.
11 at or near a place:
a town on the coast * a house on the Thames * We lived on an estate.
12 used to show the basis or reason for sth:
a story based on fact * On their advice I applied for the job.
13 supported financially by sth:
to live on a pension / a student grant * to be on a low wage * You can't feed a family on ｣50 a week. * Drinks are on me (= I am paying).
14 by means of sth; using sth:
She played a tune on her guitar. * The information is available on the Internet. * We spoke on the phone. * What's on TV? * The programme's on Channel 4.
15 used with some nouns or adjectives to say who or what is affected by sth:
a ban on smoking * He's hard on his kids. * Go easy on the mayo! (= do not give me too much)
16 compared with sb/sth:
Sales are up on last year.
17 used to describe an activity or a state:
to be on business / holiday / vacation * The book is currently on loan.
18 used when giving a telephone number:
You can get me on 0181 530 3906. * She's on extension 2401.
adverb
HELPNOTE For the special uses of on in phrasal verbs, look at the entries for the verbs. For example get on is in the phrasal verb section at get.
1 used to show that sth continues:
He worked on without a break. * If you like a good story, read on.
2 used to show that sb/sth moves or is sent forward:
She stopped for a moment, then walked on. * Keep straight on for the beach. * From then on he never trusted her again. * Please send the letter on to my new address.
HELPNOTE This cannot be written: _o_n_t_o_ _m_y_ _n_e_w_ _a_d_d_r_e_s_s
3 on sb's body; being worn:
Put your coat on. * I didn't have my glasses on. * What did she have on (= what was she wearing)?
4 covering, touching or forming part of sth:
Make sure the lid is on.
5 connected or operating; being used:
The lights were all on. * The TV is always on in their house. * We were without electricity for three hours but it's on again now.
6 happening:
There was a war on at the time. * What's on at the movies? * The band are on (= performing) in ten minutes.
7 planned to take place in the future:
The game is still on (= it has not been cancelled). * I don't think we've got anything on this weekend. * I'm sorry we can't come-we've got a lot on.
8 on duty; working:
I'm on now till 8 tomorrow morning.
9 in or into a vehicle:
The bus stopped and four people got on. * They hurried on to the plane.
seealsoONTO
IDIOMS
be on about sth (informal) to talk about sth; to mean sth:
I didn't know what he was on about. It didn't make sense.
be / go / keep on about sth (informal, disapproving) to talk in a boring or complaining way about sth:
Stop keeping on about it!
be / go / keep on at sb (to do sth) (informal, disapproving) to keep asking or telling sb sth so that they become annoyed or tired:
He was on at me again to lend him money.
it isn't on (informal) used to say that sth is not acceptable
on and on without stopping; continuously:
She went on and on about her trip.
What are you on? (informal) used when you are very surprised at sb's behaviour and are suggesting that they are acting in a similar way to sb using drugs
you're on (informal) used when you are accepting a bet
moreatOFFadv.
