Laxi Dictionary

American Dictionary

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Definition on in American English

on adverb, preposition

adverb, preposition
/ɑn/

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 and supported by the top surface of something

1.1

touching and supported by the top surface of something

Example

Chad was asleep on the floor in a heap of blankets.

Example

He left a note for you on the kitchen table.

Example

Who was the first man on the moon?

Example

Jimmy sat on a high stool with his hands on the table.

Synonyms and related words
about across after
1.2

onto a surface

Example

Alanis dropped her books on the desk.

Example

We could hear the rain falling on the roof.

1.3

touching, sticking to, or hanging from a surface or object

Example

There were several interesting posters on the wall.

Example

He had a lot of blood on his arm.

Example

The key is hanging on a hook in the hall.

Example

Evelyn leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.

Example

What kind of paper was the letter typed on?

Example

Can you see what's written on the blackboard?

Synonyms and related words
about across after
2

used for saying the day or date when something happens

Example

He's coming home on Wednesday.

Example

My birthday is on the 27th of November.

Example

They met on a rainy day in January.

Synonyms and related words
deadline timing time limit
3

used for saying which part of your body is supporting you

Example

He propped himself up on an elbow and looked me in the eye.

Example

She gets down on her knees every night and prays for her family.

Example

Can you skate backward on one leg?

4

in a particular area, or on a particular type of land

4.1

in a particular area, or on a particular type of land

Example

The house was built on a beautiful piece of land.

Example

a school on the outskirts of Ft. Worth

Example

Survivors lived on the island for three weeks before being rescued.

Example

My father was raised on a farm, but I have lived in the city my whole life.

Synonyms and related words
about across after
4.2

in a particular road or street

Example

Gordie's grandparents live on Crescent Drive.

Synonyms and related words
about across after
4.3

at the side of a river or area of water

Example

Her mother comes from a small village on the Baltic Sea.

Example

a town on the Mississippi

Example

As the owner of the only restaurant on the lakefront, he enjoys very good profits.

Synonyms and related words
about across after
5

included in a list

Example

The future of the charity will be one of the items on the agenda.

Example

My name's not on the list of candidates - why not?

Synonyms and related words
everything whole all
6

used for saying which thing a part of your body accidentally hits or touches causing you to be hurt

Example

I cut my hand on a piece of glass from the broken window.

Example

She bumped her head really hard on the door.

Synonyms and related words
about across after
7

used for saying that you are wearing a piece of clothing, jewelry, etc., or for saying which part of your body it covers

Example

Come on, put your socks on, you'll be late for school.

Example

She had on a simple silk dress with a pattern of roses.

Example

She was wearing a ring on the third finger of her left hand.

Example

You look funny with glasses on.

Synonyms and related words
arrayed in something attired bespectacled
8

if your eyes are on someone or something, you are looking at them

Example

Hannah fixed her gray eyes on me once again.

Example

He kept his eyes on the flickering flames.

9

being broadcast by radio or television

9.1

being broadcast by radio or television

Example

Friends is on TV tonight.

Example

I usually listen to the news on the radio while I'm driving to work.

Example

What time is the football game on?

Synonyms and related words
broadcast report screen
9.2

taking place or happening somewhere

Example

There's a wedding on now at the church.

Example

I have to write a report on the Civil War for history class.

Example

a conference on language teaching

Example

Students should be offered accurate information on subjects like sex and contraception.

Synonyms and related words
about regarding concerning
11

used for saying that someone is continuing to do something

11.1

used for saying that someone is continuing to do something

Example

They talked on through the night.

Example

Read on to find out the rest of the story.

Example

I stayed on after everyone else had left.

Example

He kept on saying "Where are the kids?" over and over again.

Example

We can't go on putting more and more taxpayers' money into these programs without getting some results.

11.2

continuing to move forward

Example

They walked on beside the river to a picnic spot they knew.

Example

When I didn't know the answer, the teacher kindly moved on to the next student.

12

in or into a bus, train, airplane, etc.

Example

We got on the train in Oakland.

Example

I'll get some work done while I'm on the plane.

Synonyms and related words
get on board transfer
13

used for saying which type of machine or equipment is used for doing something

13.1

used for saying which type of machine or equipment is used for doing something

Example

Much of the work is done on the computer.

Example

I recorded our conversation on my tape recorder.

13.2

used for saying in what form music, movies, information, etc. are recorded

Example

The movie was released on DVD last month.

Example

I bought the album on tape when it first came out in 1996.

14

if a machine or piece of electrical equipment is on, it is in use or working

Example

Is the furnace on? I'm freezing.

Example

She had left her light on and I went in to turn it off.

Example

When you turn the computer on, it goes through a procedure called booting.

Synonyms and related words
analog at the touch of a button automatic
Example

She's on antibiotics for a mild eye infection.

Example

Some of the young people were obviously high on drugs.

Synonyms and related words
contraindication dosage dose
16

used for saying that someone takes part in an activity in which they travel or see something

Example

He has been going on expeditions since he was eleven years old.

Example

I'll take you on a tour of the factory.

Example

I met him when I was on a Mediterranean cruise.

17

if someone is on a team, committee, etc., they are a member of it

Example

There are only three directors on the board.

Example

Mr. Cook was strongly criticized by some of the Senators on the committee.

Example

I'm glad to have a player like you on our team.

18

used for saying that an event is followed immediately by another event or that the two events happen at the same time

Example

On being made aware of the complaints, he informed the committee.

Example

They exchanged a firm handshake on parting.

Example

Report to the reception desk on arrival.

Synonyms and related words
then all last
19

eating or drinking only a particular type of food or drink in order to stay alive

19.1

eating or drinking only a particular type of food or drink in order to stay alive

Example

Using a cave as shelter, the two men survived on wild berries and raw fish.

Example

He lives on a diet of coffee and cigarettes.

Synonyms and related words
5:2 diet abstemious Atkins diet
Example

Why can't they make a car that runs on water?

Example

This video recorder runs on batteries.

Synonyms and related words
biofuel biogas biomass
19.3

used for saying how much money you have to buy the things that you need in order to live

Example

He was just managing to survive on a small student grant.

Example

The 1.3 billion who live on less than $1 a day have waited far too long for these changes.

Example

How to travel around Europe on $40 a day.

20

used for saying who or what is affected by something

Example

The rough weather had little effect on the ship.

Example

The attacks on Walters in the newspaper have been entirely unfair.

21

compared with someone or something

Example

This would be a significant improvement on the $15 million profit figure achieved last time.

Synonyms and related words
than relatively whereas
22

used for saying that an actor or performer can be seen appearing on the stage or screen

Example

Wait! She'll be on in a couple of seconds.

Synonyms and related words
acting dark dramatic
23

used for saying who will pay for something

Example

Drink up! The next round's on me.

24

used for giving the phone number which you can use to talk to someone. The American word is at

Example

Call us on 0800 0900017.

Synonyms and related words
000 0800 number 1471
Definition on in American English

Related Words

Words related to on:

act on (phrasal verb) add on (phrasal verb) add-on (noun) bag on (verb) bang on (phrasal verb) bank on (phrasal verb) base on (phrasal verb) bear on (phrasal verb) beat on (phrasal verb) book on (phrasal verb) bring on (phrasal verb) build on (phrasal verb) call on (phrasal verb) carry on (phrasal verb) carry-on (adjective) carry-on (noun) cast on (phrasal verb) catch on (phrasal verb) cheat on (phrasal verb) check on (phrasal verb) cheer on (phrasal verb) chew on (phrasal verb) clip-on (adjective) come on (phrasal verb) come-on (noun) count on (phrasal verb) cut on (phrasal verb) dawn on (phrasal verb) dine on (phrasal verb) drag on (phrasal verb) draw on (phrasal verb) dream on (phrase) drone on (phrasal verb) dump on (phrasal verb) dwell on (phrasal verb) early on (phrase) enter on (phrasal verb) fall on (phrasal verb) feast on (phrasal verb) feed on (phrasal verb) fix on (phrasal verb) flash on (phrasal verb) fling on (phrasal verb) flip on (phrasal verb) flow-on (adjective) flow-on (noun) frown on (phrasal verb) gain on (phrasal verb) get on (phrasal verb) go on (phrasal verb) goad on (phrasal verb) grind on (phrasal verb) grow on (phrasal verb) hand on (phrasal verb) hands-on (adjective) hang on (phrasal verb) hard-on (noun) have on (phrasal verb) head-on (adverb) head-on (adjective) hire on (phrasal verb) hit on (phrasal verb) hold on (phrasal verb) iron-on (adjective) jam on (phrasal verb) jump on (phrasal verb) keep on (phrasal verb) knock-on (adjective) land on (phrasal verb) lay on (phrasal verb) let on (phrasal verb) log on (phrasal verb) on (adverb, preposition) on and on (phrase) on board (phrase) on deck (phrase) on draft (phrase) on duty (phrase) on earth (phrase) on edge (phrase) on fire (phrase) on foot (phrase) on high (phrase) on hire (phrase) on hold (phrase) on tap (phrase) on top (phrase) on tow (phrase) on-air (adjective) on-off (adjective) pin on (phrasal verb) put on (phrasal verb) put-on (adjective) put-on (noun) run on (phrasal verb) set on (phrasal verb) sit on (phrasal verb) spy on (phrasal verb) tag on (phrasal verb) try on (phrasal verb)