- on */*/*/
- UK [ɒn] / US [ɑn] / US [ɔn]
adverb, preposition
Summary:
On can be used in the following ways: - as a preposition: She was lying on the floor. ♦ It happened on a hot summer's day. - as an adverb: Put your clothes on now. ♦ When the bus stopped he got on. - after the verb "to be": Is the central heating on?1) touching a surface or an objecta) touching and supported by the top surface of somethingChad was asleep on the floor in a heap of blankets.
He left a note for you on the kitchen table.
Who was the first man on the moon?
Jimmy sat on a high stool with his hands on the table.
b) onto a surfaceAlanis dropped her books on the desk.
We could hear the rain falling on the roof.
c) touching, sticking to, or hanging from a surface or objectThere were several interesting posters on the wall.
He had a lot of blood on his arm.
The key is hanging on a hook in the hall.
Evelyn leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.
What kind of paper was the letter typed on?
Can you see what's written on the blackboard?
2) at a particular time used for saying the day or date when something happensHe's coming home on Wednesday.
My birthday is on the 27th of November.
They met on a rainy day in January.
3) supported by a part of your body used for saying which part of your body is supporting youHe propped himself up on an elbow and looked me in the eye.
She gets down on her knees every night and prays for her family.
Can you skate backwards on one leg?
4) in a particular placea) in a particular area, or on a particular type of landThe house was built on a beautiful piece of land.
a school on the outskirts of Glasgow
The princess is buried on a small island.
Wilson spent his childhood on a farm in Ireland.
b) in a particular road or streetGordie's grandparents live on Crescent Drive.
c) at the side of a river or area of watera small village on the east coast of Scotland
a town on the Mississippi
The hotel stands on the water's edge just outside Henley.
5) in a list included in a listThe future of the charity will be one of the items on the agenda.
My name's not on the list of candidates – why not?
6) hitting against something used for saying which thing a part of your body accidentally hits or touches causing you to be hurtI cut my hand on a piece of glass from the broken window.
She bumped her head really hard on the door.
7) wearing something used for saying that you are wearing a piece of clothing, jewellery etc, or for saying which part of your body it coversCome on, put your socks on, you'll be late for school.
She had on a simple silk dress with a pattern of roses.
She was wearing a ring on the third finger of her left hand.
You look funny with glasses on.
8) looking at someone/something if your eyes are on someone or something, you are looking at themHannah fixed her grey eyes on me once again.
He kept his eyes on the flickering flames.
9) happening, or being broadcasta) being broadcast by radio or televisionEastenders is on TV tonight.
I usually listen to the news on the radio while I'm driving to work.
What time is the football match on?
b) taking place or happening somewhereThere's a wedding on in the church.
10) about something concerning a particular subjectI have to write a report on the Civil War for homework.
a conference on language teaching
Students should be offered accurate information on subjects like sex and contraception.
11) continuinga) used for saying that someone is continuing to do somethingThey talked on through the night.
Read on to find out the rest of the story.
I stayed on after everyone else had left.
He kept on saying "Where are the kids?" over and over again.
We can't go on putting more and more taxpayers' money into these projects without giving them some results.
b) continuing to move forwardsThey walked on beside the river to a cafe they knew.
When I didn't know the answer, the teacher kindly moved on to the next student.
12) in or into a vehicle in or into a bus, train, plane etcWe got on the train at Bournville.
I'll get some work done while I'm on the plane.
13) using a particular type of machine or equipmenta) used for saying which type of machine or equipment is used for doing somethingMuch of the work is done on computer.
I recorded our conversation on my tape recorder.
b) used for saying in what form music, films, information etc are recordedThe Grinch was released last year on video.
I bought the album on tape when it first came out in 1996.
14) working, or in use if a machine or piece of electrical equipment is on, it is in use or workingIs the heating on? I'm freezing.
She had left her light on and I went in to turn it off.
When you turn the computer on, it goes through a procedure called booting.
15) taking part in a journey used for saying that someone takes part in an activity in which they travel or see somethingHe has been going on expeditions since he was eleven years old.
I'll take you on a tour of the factory.
I met him when I was on a Mediterranean cruise.
16) using a drug using a particular drugShe's on antibiotics for a mild eye infection.
Some of the young people were obviously high on drugs.
17) when someone is a member of something if someone is on a team, committee etc, they are a member of itThere are only three directors on the board.
Mr Cook was strongly criticized by some of the MPs on the committee.
I'm glad to have a player like you on our team.
18) formal happening immediately used for saying that an event is followed immediately by another event or that the two events happen at the same timeOn being made aware of complaints, he informed the committee.
They exchanged a firm handshake on parting.
Report to the reception desk on arrival.
19) using something to live or worka) eating or drinking only a particular type of food or drink in order to stay aliveUsing a cave as shelter, the two men survived on wild berries and raw fish.
He lives on a diet of coffee and cigarettes.
b) using a particular type of fuel or electrical power in order to operaterun on something:Why can't they make a car that runs on water?
This video recorder runs on batteries.
c) used for saying how much money you have to buy the things that you need in order to liveHe was just managing to survive on a small student grant.
The 1.3 billion who live on less than £1 a day have waited far too long for these changes.
How to travel around Europe on £40 a day.
20) used for showing who or what is affected used for saying who or what is affected by somethingThe rough weather had little effect on the ship.
The attacks on Walters in the newspaper have been entirely unfair.
21) British used for giving phone numbers used for giving the phone number which you can use to talk to someone. The American word is atCall us on 0800 0900017.
22) compared with something compared with someone or somethingSubscriptions are down by 66,000 on last year and that is a serious situation.
This would be a significant improvement on the £15 million profit figure achieved last time.
23) spoken paid for by someone used for saying who will pay for somethingDrink up! The next round's on me.
24) performing used for saying that an actor or performer can be seen appearing on the stage or screenWait! She'll be on in a couple of seconds.
•be/go on about
— informal to keep talking about someone or something, especially when other people think it is boringShe's always on about her children.
informal to keep asking someone to do something, or keep complaining about their behaviour, in a way that annoys thembe/go on at someone
— British
Dad's always on at me to get a better job.
from now/then/that moment etc on
— starting at a particular time and continuing to happenThe new rules will apply to all members from now on.
From that moment on, I knew that I wanted to be a doctor.
informal used for saying that something cannot be allowed or that it is impossible(just) not on
— British
His son has been given preferential treatment. That is simply not on.
on someone's left/right
— at or to the left/right side of someone or somethingJohnny was sitting on my left.
If you look on your right, you will see the Houses of Parliament.
what is someone on?
— spoken used when you cannot understand why someone has done or said somethingHe expects us to finish this in two days? What is he on?
spoken used when you do not understand what someone is talking aboutwhat is someone on about?
— British
What's he on about now?
See:
English dictionary. 2014.
