on
on
/ɒn/
For the special uses of on in phrasal verbs, look at the entries for the verbs. For example turn on somebody is in the phrasal verb section at turn.
1 in or into a position covering, touching or forming part of a surface
a picture on a wall
There's a mark on your skirt.
the diagram on page 5
Put it down on the table.
He had been hit on the head.
She climbed on to the bed.
2 vsupported by somebody/something
She was standing on one foot.
Try lying on your back.
Hang your coat on that hook.
3 used to show a means of transport
He was on the plane from New York.
to travel on the bus/tube/coach
I came on my bike.
a woman on horseback
4 by means of something; using something
She played a tune on her guitar.
The information is available on the internet.
We spoke on the phone.
What's on TV?
The programme's on Channel 4.
5 used to show a day or date
He came on Sunday.
We meet on Tuesdays.
on May the first/the first of May
on the evening of May the first
on one occasion
on your birthday
6 used to describe an activity or a state
to be on business/holiday/vacation
The book is currently on loan.
7 used to show direction
on the left/right
He turned his back on us.
8 at or near a place
a town on the coast
a house on the Thames
We lived on an estate.
9 used to show the basis or reason for something
a story based on fact
On their advice I applied for the job.
10 immediately after something
On arriving home I discovered they had gone.
Please report to reception on arrival.
There was a letter waiting for him on his return.
11 about something/somebody
a book on South Africa
She tested us on irregular verbs.
12 used to show that somebody belongs to a group or an organization
to be on the committee/staff/jury/panel
Whose side are you on (= which of two or more different views do you support)?
13 eating or drinking something; using a drug or a medicine regularly
He lived on a diet of junk food.
The doctor put me on antibiotics.
14 paid for by something
to live on a pension/a student grant
to be on a low wage
You can't feed a family on £50 a week.
Drinks are on me (= I am paying).
15 used when giving a phone number
You can get me on 020 7946 0887.
She's on extension 2401.
16 used with some nouns or adjectives to say who or what is affected by something
a ban on smoking
He's hard on his kids.
Go easy on the mayo! (= do not take/give me too much)
17 being carried by somebody; in the possession of somebody
Have you got any money on you?
18 compared with somebody/something
Sales are up on last year.
on
/ɒn/
For the special uses of on in phrasal verbs, look at the entries for the verbs. For example get on is in the phrasal verb section at get.
1 on somebody’s body; being worn
Put your coat on.
I didn't have my glasses on.
What did she have on (= what was she wearing)?
2 covering, touching or forming part of something
Make sure the lid is on.
3 in or into a vehicle
The bus stopped and four people got on.
They hurried on to the plane.
4 connected or operating; being used
The lights were all on.
The TV is always on in their house.
We were without electricity for three hours but it's on again now.
5 used to show that somebody/something moves or is sent forward
She stopped for a moment, then walked on.
Keep straight on for the beach.
From then on he never trusted her again.
Please send the letter on to my new address.
6 used to show that something continues
He worked on without a break.
If you like a good story, read on.
7 happening
There was a war on at the time.
What's on at the movies?
The band are on (= performing) in ten minutes.
8 planned to take place in the future
The game is still on (= it has not been cancelled).
I don't think we've got anything on this weekend.
I'm sorry we can't come—we've got a lot on.
9 on duty; working
I'm on now till 8 tomorrow morning.
Idioms
Word Origin
Old English on, an, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch aan and German an, from an Indo-European root shared by Greek ana.