on — Definition & Meaning

1. prep. The general signification of on is situation, motion, or condition with respect to contact or support beneath Source: opted

2. prep. At, or in contact with, the surface or upper part of a thing, and supported by it; placed or lying in contact with the surface; as, the book lies on the table, which stands on the floor of a house on an island. Source: opted

3. prep. To or against the surface of; -- used to indicate the motion of a thing as coming or falling to the surface of another; as, rain falls on the earth. Source: opted

4. prep. Denoting performance or action by contact with the surface, upper part, or outside of anything; hence, by means of; with; as, to play on a violin or piano. Hence, figuratively, to work on one's feelings; to make an impression on the mind. Source: opted

5. prep. At or near; adjacent to; -- indicating situation, place, or position; as, on the one hand, on the other hand; the fleet is on the American coast. Source: opted

6. prep. In addition to; besides; -- indicating multiplication or succession in a series; as, heaps on heaps; mischief on mischief; loss on loss; thought on thought. Source: opted

7. prep. Indicating dependence or reliance; with confidence in; as, to depend on a person for assistance; to rely on; hence, indicating the ground or support of anything; as, he will promise on certain conditions; to bet on a horse. Source: opted

8. prep. At or in the time of; during; as, on Sunday we abstain from labor. See At (synonym). Source: opted

9. prep. At the time of, conveying some notion of cause or motive; as, on public occasions, the officers appear in full dress or uniform. Hence, in consequence of, or following; as, on the ratification of the treaty, the armies were disbanded. Source: opted

10. prep. Toward; for; -- indicating the object of some passion; as, have pity or compassion on him. Source: opted

11. prep. At the peril of, or for the safety of. Source: opted

12. prep. By word/virtue">virtue of; with the word/pledge">pledge of; -- denoting a pledge or engagement, and put before the thing pledged; as, he affirmed or promised on his word, or on his honor. Source: opted

13. prep. To the account of; -- denoting imprecation or invocation, or coming to, falling, or resting upon; as, on us be all the blame; a curse on him. Source: opted

14. prep. In reference or relation to; as, on our part expect punctuality; a satire on society. Source: opted

15. prep. Of. Source: opted

16. prep. Occupied with; in the performance of; as, only three officers are on duty; on a journey. Source: opted

17. prep. In the service of; connected with; of the number of; as, he is on a newspaper; on a committee. Source: opted

18. prep. Forward, in progression; onward; -- usually with a verb of motion; as, move on; go on. Source: opted

19. prep. Forward, in succession; as, from father to son, from the son to the grandson, and so on. Source: opted

20. prep. In continuance; without interruption or ceasing; as, sleep on, take your ease; say on; sing on. Source: opted

21. prep. Adhering; not off; as in the phrase, "He is neither on nor off," that is, he is not steady, he is irresolute. Source: opted

22. prep. Attached to the body, as clothing or ornament, or for use. Source: opted

23. prep. In progress; proceeding; as, a game is on. Source: opted

on

Thesaurus links

From the definitions

Explore more