on
on
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "on" is /ɒn/.
/ɒn/ - This is a single-syllable word.
Word Form Variations
"On" is primarily a preposition, adverb, or adjective. As such, it does not typically have singular, plural, or comparative/superlative forms in the same way nouns or most adjectives do.
Preposition: "on" (e.g., on the table)
Adverb: "on" (e.g., The light is on.)
Adjective: "on" (e.g., The show is on. - often implies an ongoing state)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Preposition
Definition 1: Indicating a position of contact with and typically above or covering something.
Synonyms: atop, upon
Antonyms: off, beneath, under
Definition 2: Indicating a time or date at which something occurs.
Synonyms: at, during
Antonyms: (no direct antonyms; often contrasted with "after" or "before" depending on context)
Definition 3: Indicating a state of being supported by or suspended from.
Synonyms: attached to, hanging from
Antonyms: detached from, away from
Definition 4: Indicating the means by which something is done or achieved.
Synonyms: by means of, via
Antonyms: (no direct antonyms)
Definition 5: Indicating a state of activity or operation.
Synonyms: active, running, operational
Antonyms: off, inactive, dormant
Adverb
Definition 1: In or into a position covering or supported by a surface.
Synonyms: across, atop, forward
Antonyms: off, away
Definition 2: In operation or continuous use.
Synonyms: operating, activated, functional
Antonyms: off, out, defunct
Definition 3: Continuing in a particular direction or progression.
Synonyms: forward, ahead, onward
Antonyms: back, backward, stopped
Adjective
Definition 1: Functioning; operating; switched on.
Synonyms: active, operational, working
Antonyms: off, inactive, broken
Definition 2: Taking place or scheduled to take place.
Synonyms: happening, occurring, ongoing
Antonyms: cancelled, off, postponed
Examples of Use
Books:
"He stood for a long time staring out on the street, watching the rain." (From The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, 1951)
"The weight of the world seemed to be on her shoulders." (From Educated by Tara Westover, February 2018)
Newspapers:
"The city council will vote on the new zoning proposal next week." (The New York Times)
"Reports indicate a significant impact on local businesses due to the road closure." (The Daily Nation)
Online Publications:
"Experts weigh in on the latest economic trends." (Forbes.com)
"New security features are now live on our platform." (TechCrunch.com)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Television Show: "Stay tuned, we'll be right back after a short break. The show must go on!" (Common phrase in many TV series, e.g., Saturday Night Live, various dates)
Music: "Turn the lights on in this town, please." (From the song "Blinding Lights" by The Weeknd, November 2019)
Movie Dialogue: "I'm on a mission from God." (From The Blues Brothers, June 1980)
Video Game: "Your next objective is on the map." (Common in many open-world video games, e.g., Grand Theft Auto V, September 2013)
Podcast: "Our guest today shares insights on building a successful startup." (From How I Built This with Guy Raz, various dates)
General Public Discourse:
"Can you put the kettle on for tea?" (Common household request)
"The meeting is on for 10 AM tomorrow." (Typical office communication)
"Don't worry, I'm on your side." (Expression of support)
"He's always on his phone." (Observation of someone's habits)
10 Quotes Using On
"A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." (Mark Twain)
"Be the change that you wish to see on the world." (Mahatma Gandhi)
"The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on." (Steve Jobs, Stanford Commencement Address, June 2005)
"If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants." (Isaac Newton, Letter to Robert Hooke, February 1676)
"When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground." (Cersei Lannister, Game of Thrones)
"Get busy living or get busy dying." (Stephen King, Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption)
"Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country." (John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address, January 1961)
"All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not touched by the frost." (J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings)"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." (Wayne Gretzky)
"The very things that hold you down are going to lift you up." (Timothy Mouse, Dumbo, October 1941)
Etymology
The word "on" is quite old and has roots that go way back in the history of the English language.
It comes from Old English, where it was spelled "on" or "an." Even back then (before the 12th century), it had meanings very similar to what we use today.
Its original sense was about position and contact. Think of it like this: if something was "on" another thing, it was placed upon it, or in contact with its surface. For example, a book "on" the table meant the book was resting on the table's surface.
This Old English word itself came from an even older source: Proto-Germanic (the ancestor of Germanic languages like English, German, and Dutch) word "ana," which also meant "on" or "at." Going even further back, linguists trace it to a Proto-Indo-European root "h₂en-," which generally conveyed a sense of "on" or "up."
So, in essence, "on" has always been about indicating a location where one thing is placed upon or connected to another, and this core meaning has remained incredibly consistent throughout its long journey in the English language.
Phrases + Idioms Containing On
On time: Punctual; at the expected moment.
On the go: Very busy; constantly active.
On the ball: Alert and competent; quick to understand and react.
On cloud nine: Extremely happy or delighted.
On the fence: Undecided about something.
On principle: Because of a strong belief or standard.
On edge: Tense, nervous, or irritable.
On a whim: Based on a sudden, impulsive desire.
On the house: (Of food or drink) provided free by the establishment.
On board: Participating in or agreeing with something.
On record: Officially stated and preserved.
On tap: Available and ready for use, often in large quantities.
On the tip of my tongue: Almost able to remember something, but not quite.
On the dot: Exactly at a particular time.
On the rocks: (Of a relationship or enterprise) experiencing severe difficulties.
On a roll: Experiencing a period of success or good luck.
On average: Typically; normally.
On purpose: Intentionally; not accidentally.
On the blink: Not working properly; out of order.
On all fours: Resting on hands and knees.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of on from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
