on

[[t]ɒn, ɔn[/t]]

prep.

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

Put the package on the table. Hang your coat on the hook[/ex]

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

a label on a jar[/ex]

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

Put the blanket on the baby[/ex]

4) in connection, association, or cooperation with:

to serve on a jury[/ex]

5) so as to be a supporting part or base of:

legs on a chair[/ex]

6) having as a place, location, situation, etc.:

a scar on the face; a store on 19th Street[/ex]

7) in immediate proximity to:

a house on the lake[/ex]

8) in the direction of:

to sail on a southerly course[/ex]

9) using as a means of conveyance or of supporting or supplying movement:

arriving on the noon plane; a car that runs on electricity[/ex]

10) by the agency or means of:

drunk on wine; talking on the phone[/ex]

11) directed against or toward:

played a joke on him[/ex]

12) having as a subject; about:

a book on birds[/ex]

13) in a state, condition, or process of:

on strike[/ex]

14) cvb engaged in or involved with:

I'm on the second chapter now[/ex]

15) cvb subject to:

a doctor on call[/ex]

16) having as a source or agent:

to depend on friends for support[/ex]

17) having as a basis or ground:

on my word of honor[/ex]

18) cvb assigned to or working at:

Who's on the switchboard today?[/ex]

19) at the time or occasion of:

on Sunday; cash on delivery[/ex]

20) cvb within the required limits of:

on time[/ex]

21) having as the object or end of motion:

to march on the capital; to creep up on someone[/ex]

22) having as the object or end of action, thought, desire, etc.:

to gaze on a scene[/ex]

23) having as the subject or reference; with respect to:

views on public matters[/ex]

24) cvb inf paid for by, esp. as a treat or gift:

Dinner is on me[/ex]

25) cvb taking or using as a prescribed measure, cure, etc.:

on a low-salt diet[/ex]

26) cvb regularly taking or addicted to:

on drugs[/ex]

27) cvb inf with; carried by:

I have no money on me[/ex]

28) so as to disturb or affect adversely:

My hair dryer broke on me[/ex]

29) having as a risk or liability:

on pain of death[/ex]

30) in addition to:

millions on millions of stars[/ex]

31) in, into, or onto a position of being supported or attached:

Sew the buttons on[/ex]

32) in, into, or onto a position of covering or wrapping:

Put your raincoat on[/ex]

33) fast to a thing, as for support:

Hold on![/ex]

34) toward a place, point, activity, or object:

to look on while others work[/ex]

35) forward, onward, or along, as in any course or process:

further on[/ex]

36) with continuous activity:

to work on[/ex]

37) into or in active operation or performance:

Turn the gas on[/ex]

38) operating or in use:

Is the radio on?[/ex]

39) taking place; occurring:

Don't you know there's a war on?[/ex]

40) performing or broadcasting:

The radio announcer told us we were on[/ex]

41) cvb inf

a) behaving in a very animated or theatrical manner

b) functioning or performing at one's best

42) scheduled or planned:

Anything on tonight?[/ex]

•

- on and off on and on

Etymology: bef. 900; ME on, an, OE: on, in, to, c. OFris, OSan(a), OHG an(a), ON ā-, Go ana; akin to Gk aná up, upon (see ana-)