-on

¹

1. a suffix used in the names of subatomic particles ( gluon; meson; neutron ), quanta ( graviton ), and other minimal entities or components ( cistron; codon; magneton; photon ).

-on

²

1. a suffix used in the naming of inert gaseous elements:

   neon.

on

³

[ on, awn ]

preposition

1. so as to be or remain supported by or suspended from:

   Put your package down on the table.

   Hang your coat on the hook.

2. so as to be attached to or unified with:

   Hang the picture on the wall.

   Paste the label on the package.

3. so as to be a covering or wrapping for:

   Put the blanket on the baby.

   Put aluminum foil on the lamb chops before freezing them.

4. in connection, association, or cooperation with; as a part or element of:

   to serve on a jury.

5. so as to be a supporting part, base, backing, etc., of:

   a painting on canvas;

   mounted on cardboard;

   legs on a chair.

6. (used to indicate place, location, situation, etc.):

   a scar on the face;

   the book on the table;

   a house on 19th Street.

7. (used to indicate immediate proximity):

   a house on the lake;

   to border on absurdity.

8. in the direction of:

   on the left;

   to sail on a southerly course.

9. (used to indicate a means of conveyance or a means of supporting or supplying movement):

   on the wing;

   This car runs on electricity.

   Can you walk on your hands?

   I'll be there on the noon plane.

10. by the agency or means of:

    drunk on wine;

    talking on the phone;

    I saw it on television.

11. in addition to:

    millions on millions of stars.

12. with respect or regard to (used to indicate the object of an action directed against or toward):

    Let's play a joke on him.

    Write a critical essay on Shakespeare.

13. in a state or condition of; in the process of:

    on strike;

    The house is on fire!

14. subject to:

    a doctor on call.

15. engaged in or involved with:

    He's on the second chapter now.

16. (used to indicate a source or a person or thing that serves as a source or agent):

    a duty on imported goods;

    She depends on her friends for encouragement.

17. (used to indicate a basis or ground):

    on my word of honor;

    The movie is based on the book.

18. (used to indicate risk or liability):

    on pain of death.

19. (used to indicate progress toward or completion of an objective):

    We completed the project on budget.

20. assigned to or occupied with:

    Who's on reception this afternoon?

    Let’s shoot this one with you on lighting, and her on sound.

21. Informal. so as to disturb or affect adversely:

    My hair dryer broke on me.

22. Informal. paid for by, especially as a treat or gift:

    Dinner is on me.

23. taking or using as a prescribed measure, cure, or the like:

    The doctor had her on a low-salt diet.

24. regularly taking or addicted to:

    He was on drugs for two years.

25. Informal. with; carried by:

    I have no money on me.

26. (used to indicate time or occasion):

    on Sunday;

    We demand cash on delivery.

27. (used to indicate the object or end of motion):

    to march on the capital.

28. (used to indicate the object or end of action, thought, desire, etc.):

    to gaze on a scene.

29. (used to indicate subject, reference, or respect):

    views on public matters.

30. (used to indicate an encounter):

    The pickpocket crept up on a victim.

31. (used to indicate fault or responsibility):

    It's on them to make their needs known.

    If you eat that and get sick, it's on you—I warned you!

adverb

1. in, into, or onto a position of being supported or attached:

   Sew the buttons on.

2. in, into, or onto a position of covering or wrapping:

   Put your raincoat on.

3. fast to a thing, as for support:

   Hold on!

4. toward a place, point, activity, or object:

   to look on while others work.

5. forward, onward, or along, as in any course or process:

   further on.

6. with continuous activity:

   to work on.

7. into or in active operation or performance:

   Turn the gas on.

adjective

1. operating or in use:

   The television set was on.

   Is your brake on?

2. taking place; occurring:

   Don't you know there's a war on?

3. performing or broadcasting:

   The radio announcer told us we were on.

4. Informal.
   1. behaving in a theatrical, lively, or ingratiating way:

      Around close friends, one doesn't have to be on every minute.

   2. functioning or performing at one's best:

      When she's on, no other tennis player is half as good.

5. scheduled or planned:

   Anything on after supper?

6. Baseball. positioned on a base or bases:

   They had two men on when he hit the home run.

7. Cricket. noting that side of the wicket, or of the field, on which the batsman stands.

noun

1. Cricket. the on side.

On

⁴

[ on ]

noun

1. Biblical name of Heliopolis.

ON

⁵

abbreviation for

1. Old Norse ( def ). Also ON., O.N.
2. Ontario, Canada (approved for postal use).

ON

¹

abbreviation for

1. Old Norse
2. (esp in postal addresses) Ontario

On

²

/ ɒn /

noun

1. the ancient Egyptian and biblical name for Heliopolis

-on

³

suffix forming nouns

1. indicating a chemical substance

   parathion

   interferon

2. (in physics) indicating an elementary particle or quantum

   photon

   electron

3. (in chemistry) indicating an inert gas

   radon

   neon

4. (in biochemistry) a molecular unit

   operon

   codon

on

⁴

/ ɒn /

preposition

1. in contact or connection with the surface of; at the upper surface of

   an apple on the ground

   a mark on the table cloth

2. attached to

   a puppet on a string

3. carried with

   I've no money on me

4. in the immediate vicinity of; close to or along the side of

   a house on the sea

   this verges on the ridiculous!

5. within the time limits of a day or date

   he arrived on Thursday

6. being performed upon or relayed through the medium of

   what's on the television?

7. at the occasion of

   on his retirement

8. used to indicate support, subsistence, contingency, etc

   he lives on bread

   it depends on what you want

9. 1. regularly taking (a drug)

      she's on the pill

   2. addicted to

      he's on heroin

10. by means of (something considered as a mode of transport) (esp in such phrases as on foot, on wheels, on horseback, etc)
11. in the process or course of

    on a journey

    on strike

12. concerned with or relating to

    a programme on archaeology

    a tax on potatoes

13. used to indicate the basis, grounds, or cause, as of a statement or action

    I have it on good authority

14. against: used to indicate opposition

    they marched on the city at dawn

15. used to indicate a meeting or encounter

    he crept up on her

16. used with an adjective preceded by the indicating the manner or way in which an action is carried out

    on the cheap

    on the sly

17. informal.
    1. staked or wagered as a bet

       ten pounds on that horse

    2. charged to

       the drinks are on me

18. usually followed by it drinking alcoholic liquor
19. informal.
    to the loss or disadvantage of

    the old car gave out on us

adverb

1. in the position or state required for the commencement or sustained continuation, as of a mechanical operation

   the radio's been on all night

2. attached to, surrounding, or placed in contact with something

   the girl had nothing on

3. taking place

   what's on tonight?

4. in a manner indicating continuity, persistence, concentration, etc

   the play went on all afternoon

   don't keep on about it

5. in a direction towards something, esp forwards; so as to make progress

   march on!

   we drove on towards London

6. on and off or off and on
   intermittently; from time to time
7. on and on
   without ceasing; continually

adjective

1. functioning; operating

   turn the switch to the on position

2. informal.
   postpositive
   1. performing, as on stage

      I'm on in five minutes

   2. definitely taking place

      their marriage is still on

      the match is on for Friday

   3. tolerable, practicable, acceptable, etc

      your plan just isn't on

   4. (of a person) willing to do something
3. on at informal.
   nagging

   she was always on at her husband

4. cricket (of a bowler) bowling

noun

1. cricket
   1. modifier relating to or denoting the leg side of a cricket field or pitch

      an on drive

      the on side

   2. in combination used to designate certain fielding positions on the leg side

      mid-on

      long-on

Word History and Origins

Origin of -on¹

Probably extracted from ion; proton

Origin of -on²

≪ Greek -on, neuter of -os adj. ending

Origin of -on³

First recorded before 900; Middle English on, an, Old English: “on, in, to”; cognate with Dutch aan, German an, Old Norse ā, Gothic ana; akin to Greek aná “up, upon” ( ana- )

Word History and Origins

Origin of -on¹

from ion

Origin of -on²

Old English an, on; related to Old Saxon an, Old High German, Gothic ana

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. on and off, off ( def 54a ).
2. on and on, at great length, so as to become tiresome:

   They rambled on and on about their grandchildren.

3. on the bow, Nautical. bow ³( def 8 ).
4. on to, aware of the true nature, motive, or meaning of:

   I'm on to your little game.

Example Sentences

Not only has Clark’s talent on the court created a buzz, but it’s her anointing as the next great white hope in an industry dominated by Black athletes; some of whom are cast as villains for their “treatment” of Clark, like Angel Reese and Chennedy Carter.

From Salon

Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever controls the ball during the game against the New York Liberty on June 2, 2024 at the Barclayys Center in Brooklyn, New York.

From Salon

Muhammad Ali would turn the use of race to promote his fights on its head, using many of his Black opponents for white proxies.

From Salon

When there weren’t real white hopes, Black people became white folks based on what was perceived to be their political positions.”

From Salon

“Money” Mayweather, always the capitalist, seized on the opportunity to make lucrative paydays by exploiting the racism that fueled the desire for his downfall.

From Salon