Laxi Dictionary

English Dictionary

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Definition on in British English

on

adverb, preposition
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 time limit 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 backwards 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 Glasgow

Example

The princess is buried on a small island.

Example

Wilson spent his childhood on a farm in Ireland.

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

a small village on the east coast of Scotland

Example

a town on the Mississippi

Example

The hotel stands on the water's edge just outside Henley.

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 all 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 after
7

used for saying that you are wearing a piece of clothing, jewellery 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
attired bespectacled clad
8

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

Example

Hannah fixed her grey 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

Eastenders 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 match on?

Synonyms and related words
broadcast report give out
9.2

taking place or happening somewhere

Example

There's a wedding on in the church.

Example

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

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 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 projects without giving them some results.

11.2

continuing to move forwards

Example

They walked on beside the river to a cafe 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, plane etc

Example

We got on the train at Bournville.

Example

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

Synonyms and related words
get on transfer 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 computer.

Example

I recorded our conversation on my tape recorder.

13.2

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

Example

The film 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 heating 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
all-singing, all-dancing analog analogue analogue
15

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.

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
Category A contraindication dosage dosage
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 MPs 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 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 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

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 0845 number 0845 number
22

compared with someone or something

Example

Subscriptions are down by 66,000 on last year and that is a serious situation.

Example

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

Synonyms and related words
than relatively whereas whereas
23

used for saying who will pay for something

Example

Drink up! The next round's on me.

24

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 amateur dramatics dark
Definition on in British English

Related Words

Words related to on:

act on (phrasal verb) add on (phrasal verb) add-on (noun) bag on (verb) fix on (phrasal verb) get on (phrasal verb) go on (phrasal verb) hit on (phrasal verb) jam on (phrasal verb) lay on (phrasal verb) let on (phrasal verb) log on (phrasal verb) on-air (adjective) on-off (adjective) pin on (phrasal verb) pot on (phrasal verb) put on (phrasal verb) put-on (adjective) put-on (noun) run on (phrasal verb)