on

Also found in: Medical, Financial, Idioms, Encyclopedia.
(redirected from be on to)

ON

abbr.
1. Old Norse
2. Ontario

on

 (ŏn, ôn)
prep.
1.
a. Used to indicate position above and supported by or in contact with: The vase is on the table. We rested on our hands and knees.
b. Used to indicate contact with or extent over (a surface) regardless of position: a picture on the wall; a rash on my back.
c. Used to indicate location at or along: the pasture on the south side of the river; a house on the highway.
d. Used to indicate proximity: a town on the border.
e. Used to indicate attachment to or suspension from: beads on a string.
f. Used to indicate figurative or abstract position: on the young side, but experienced; on her third beer; stopped on chapter two.
2.
a. Used to indicate actual motion toward, against, or onto: jumped on the table; the march on Washington.
b. Used to indicate figurative or abstract motion toward, against, or onto: going on six o'clock; came on the answer by accident.
3.
a. Used to indicate occurrence at a given time: on July third; every hour on the hour.
b. Used to indicate the particular occasion or circumstance: On entering the room, she saw him.
4.
a. Used to indicate the object affected by actual, perceptible action: The spotlight fell on the actress. He knocked on the door.
b. Used to indicate the object affected by a figurative action: Have pity on them.
c. Used to indicate the object of an action directed, tending, or moving against it: an attack on the fortress.
d. Used to indicate the object of perception or thought: gazed on the vista; meditated on his actions.
5. Used to indicate the agent or agency of a specified action: cut his foot on the broken glass; talked on the telephone.
6.
a. Used to indicate a medicine or other corrective taken or undertaken routinely: went on a strict diet.
b. Used to indicate a substance that is the cause of an addiction, a habit, or an altered state of consciousness: high on dope.
7.
a. Used to indicate a source or basis: "We will reach our judgments not on intentions or on promises but on deeds and on results" (Margaret Thatcher).
b. Used to indicate a source of power or energy: The car runs on methane.
8.
a. Used to indicate the state or process of: on leave; on fire; on the way.
b. Used to indicate the purpose of: travel on business.
c. Used to indicate a means of conveyance: ride on a train.
d. Used to indicate availability by means of: beer on tap; a physician on call.
9. Used to indicate belonging to: a nurse on the hospital staff.
10. Used to indicate addition or repetition: heaped error on error.
11.
a. Concerning; about: a book on astronomy.
b. Concerning and to the disadvantage of: We have some evidence on him.
12. Informal In one's possession; with: I haven't a cent on me.
13. At the expense of; compliments of: drinks on the house.
adv.
1. In or into a position or condition of being supported by or in contact with something: Put the coffee on.
2. In or into a position of being attached to or covering something: Put your clothes on.
3. In the direction of something: He looked on while the ship docked.
4.
a. Toward or at a point lying ahead in space or time; forward: The play moved on to the next city.
b. At or to a more distant point in time or space: I'll do it later on.
c. Toward or to a different state or condition: Let's move on to another subject.
5. In a continuous course: He worked on quietly.
6.
a. In or into performance or operation: Turn on the radio.
b. In progress or action; in a state of activity: The show must go on.
7. In or at the present position or condition: stay on; hang on.
8. In a condition of being scheduled for or decided upon: There is a party on tonight.
adj.
1. Being in operation: The television is on.
2.
a. Engaged in a given function or activity, such as a vocal or dramatic role: You're on in five minutes!
b. Under or behaving as if under observation: A minister is always on.
3. Informal Functioning or performing at a high degree of competence or energy: The goalie is really on.
4.
a. Planned; intended: We have nothing much on for this weekend.
b. Happening; taking place: The parade is on.
5. Baseball Having reached base safely; on base: Two runners are on.
Idioms:
be on to Informal
To be aware of or have information about: You'll never deceive us again; we're on to you.
on and off
Intermittently.
on and on
Without stopping; continuously.
[Middle English, from Old English an, on; see an- in Indo-European roots.]
Usage Note: Both on and onto can be used to indicate motion toward a position: The cat jumped on the table or The cat jumped onto the table. However, onto is more specific, indicating that the motion was initiated from an outside point. They wandered onto the battlefield means that they began their wandering at some point off the battlefield, while They wandered on the battlefield implies that the wandering began on the battlefield.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

on

(ɒn)
prep
1. in contact or connection with the surface of; at the upper surface of: an apple on the ground; a mark on the table cloth.
2. attached to: a puppet on a string.
3. carried with: I've no money on me.
4. in the immediate vicinity of; close to or along the side of: a house on the sea; this verges on the ridiculous!.
5. within the time limits of a day or date: he arrived on Thursday.
6. being performed upon or relayed through the medium of: what's on the television?.
7. at the occasion of: on his retirement.
8. used to indicate support, subsistence, contingency, etc: he lives on bread; it depends on what you want.
9.
a. regularly taking (a drug): she's on the pill.
b. addicted to: he's on heroin.
10. by means of (something considered as a mode of transport) (esp in such phrases as on foot, on wheels, on horseback, etc)
11. in the process or course of: on a journey; on strike.
12. concerned with or relating to: a tax on potatoes; a programme on archaeology.
13. used to indicate the basis, grounds, or cause, as of a statement or action: I have it on good authority.
14. against: used to indicate opposition: they marched on the city at dawn.
15. used to indicate a meeting or encounter: he crept up on her.
16. (used with an adjective preceded by the) indicating the manner or way in which an action is carried out: on the sly; on the cheap.
17. informal or dialect to the loss or disadvantage of: the old car gave out on us.
adv (often used as a particle)
18. in the position or state required for the commencement or sustained continuation, as of a mechanical operation: the radio's been on all night.
19. attached to, surrounding, or placed in contact with something: the girl had nothing on.
20. in a manner indicating continuity, persistence, concentration, etc: don't keep on about it; the play went on all afternoon.
21. in a direction towards something, esp forwards; so as to make progress: we drove on towards London; march on!.
22. on and off off and on intermittently; from time to time
23. on and on without ceasing; continually
adj
24. functioning; operating: turn the switch to the on position.
25. (postpositive) informal
a. performing, as on stage: I'm on in five minutes.
b. definitely taking place: the match is on for Friday; their marriage is still on.
c. tolerable, practicable, acceptable, etc: your plan just isn't on.
d. (of a person) willing to do something
26. on at informal nagging: she was always on at her husband.
27. (Cricket) cricket (of a bowler) bowling
n
(Cricket) cricket
a. (modifier) relating to or denoting the leg side of a cricket field or pitch: the on side; an on drive.
b. (in combination) used to designate certain fielding positions on the leg side: long-on; mid-on.
[Old English an, on; related to Old Saxon an, Old High German, Gothic ana]

On

(ɒn)
n
(Placename) the ancient Egyptian and biblical name for Heliopolis

ON

abbreviation for
1. (Languages) Old Norse
2. (Placename) (esp in postal addresses) Ontario
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

on

(ɒn, ɔn)

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.
2. so as to be attached to or unified with: a label on a jar.
3. so as to be a covering or wrapping for: Put the blanket on the baby.
4. in connection, association, or cooperation with: to serve on a jury.
5. so as to be a supporting part or base of: legs on a chair.
6. having as a place, location, situation, etc.: a scar on the face; a store on 19th Street.
7. in immediate proximity to: a house on the lake.
8. in the direction of: to sail on a southerly course.
9. using as a means of conveyance or of supporting or supplying movement: arriving on the noon plane; a car that runs on electricity.
10. by the agency or means of: drunk on wine; talking on the phone.
11. directed against or toward: played a joke on him.
12. having as a subject; about: a book on birds.
13. in a state, condition, or process of: on strike.
14. engaged in or involved with: I'm on the second chapter now.
15. subject to: a doctor on call.
16. having as a source or agent: to depend on friends for support.
17. having as a basis or ground: on my word of honor.
18. assigned to or working at: Who's on the switchboard today?
19. at the time or occasion of: on Sunday; cash on delivery.
20. within the required limits of: on time.
21. having as the object or end of motion: to march on the capital; to creep up on someone.
22. having as the object or end of action, thought, desire, etc.: to gaze on a scene.
23. having as the subject or reference; with respect to: views on public matters.
24. paid for by, esp. as a treat or gift: Dinner is on me.
25. taking or using as a prescribed measure, cure, etc.: on a low-salt diet.
26. regularly taking or addicted to: on drugs.
27. with; carried by: I have no money on me.
28. so as to disturb or affect adversely: My hair dryer broke on me.
29. having as a risk or liability: on pain of death.
30. in addition to: millions on millions of stars.
adv.
31. in, into, or onto a position of being supported or attached: Sew the buttons on.
32. in, into, or onto a position of covering or wrapping: Put your raincoat on.
33. fast to a thing, as for support: Hold on!
34. toward a place, point, activity, or object: to look on while others work.
35. forward, onward, or along, as in any course or process: further on.
36. with continuous activity: to work on.
37. into or in active operation or performance: Turn the gas on.
adj.
38. operating or in use: Is the radio on?
39. taking place; occurring: Don't you know there's a war on?
40. performing or broadcasting: The radio announcer told us we were on.
41.
a. behaving in a very animated or theatrical manner.
b. functioning or performing at one's best.
42. scheduled or planned: Anything on tonight?
Idioms:
1. on and off, off (def. 46).
2. on and on, at great length, so as to become tiresome.
[before 900; Middle English on, an, Old English: on, in, to, c. Old Frisian, Old Saxon an(a), Old High German an(a), Old Norse ā-, Gothic ana; akin to Greek aná up, upon (see ana-)]

ON

1. Old Norse.
2. Ontario, Canada.

-on1

,
a suffix used in the names of subatomic particles (gluon; neutron), quanta (graviton), and other minimal entities or components (codon; magneton; photon).
[probably extracted from ion; compare proton]

-on2

,
a suffix used in the names of inert gaseous elements: neon.
[« Greek -on, neuter of -os adj. ending]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

on

1. used for saying where something is

On is usually a preposition. You use on to say where someone or something is by mentioning the object or surface that is under them.

When I came back, she was sitting on the stairs.
There was a photograph of a beautiful girl on Deepak's desk.

On is used in some other ways to say where someone or something is. For example, you use it to mention an area of land where someone works or lives, such as a farm, building site, or housing estate.

He briefly worked on a building site in Seoul.

You also use on to mention an island where something exists or happens.

She lives on a Caribbean island.
See in (for a common way of saying where something is), at (for a common way of saying where something is)
2. used for saying where something goes

You can use on to say where someone or something falls or is put.

He fell on the floor.
I put a hand on his shoulder.

Onto is used in a similar way.

See onto

You use on after get to say that someone enters a bus, train, or ship.

George got on the bus with us.
For more information, see go into - get into - get on
3. used for talking about time

You say that something happens on a particular day or date.

She came to see the play on the following Friday.
Caro was born on April 10th.

You can sometimes use on to say that one thing happens immediately after another. For example, if something happens on someone's arrival, it happens immediately after they arrive.

'It's so unfair,' Clarissa said on her return.
4. used as an adverb

On is sometimes an adverb, usually showing that something continues to happen or be done.

She walked on, silently thinking.
I flew on to California.
Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Adj.1.on - in operation or operational; "left the oven on"; "the switch is in the on position"
off - not in operation or operational; "the oven is off"; "the lights are off"
2.on - (of events) planned or scheduled; "the picnic is on, rain or shine"; "we have nothing on for Friday night"
cancelled, off - (of events) no longer planned or scheduled; "the wedding is definitely off"
Adv.1.on - with a forward motionon - with a forward motion; "we drove along admiring the view"; "the horse trotted along at a steady pace"; "the circus traveled on to the next city"; "move along"; "march on"
along
2.on - indicates continuity or persistence or concentration; "his spirit lives on"; "shall I read on?"
3.on - in a state required for something to function or be effective; "turn the lights on"; "get a load on"
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

on

preposition
1. on top of, supported by, resting on, in contact with He sat beside her on the sofa.
adjective
1. functioning, working, operating, in use The light was on and the door was open.
adverb
1. continuously, for a long time, at length, ceaselessly, without a break, without end She chattered on brightly and aimlessly for several minutes.
on and off occasionally, sometimes, at times, from time to time, now and then, irregularly, on occasion, periodically, once in a while, every so often, intermittently, at intervals, sporadically, off and on, fitfully, spasmodically, by fits and starts, discontinuously, (every) now and again, (every) now and then They have been fighting on and off throughout their married life.
on and on interminably, for a long time, for ages, continuously, without a break His voice went on and on in her ear.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
Translations
إلى أو عَلى العَرَبَه أو القِطارالمَحْمول عَليهباسْتِمْراربِجانِب، قُرْببَعْدَ، يَتْبَعُه، وراء
naozapnutýdne
påtændtvedblive til nogetefter
aufüberanbeiein
πάνωσεεπί
jeprisur
ensobreencendidoaa bordo
sees
päällä
surdansàà bordà l'affiche
nauključen
bekapcsolva
áá, í átt aî, gegná, í gangi, kveikturá, meîá, viî, eftir
suaccesoaddossosopraaffidarsi
･･･の上に物の上に載って
...의 위에켜진
be paliovosbesilaikantisdarantį-įjungtas
iekšāparpēcpēc tam kadpie
aanopoveractief
på
nadalej
ligadonanosobreem
наввыключенный
nana programena sebav behuzapnutý
napovklopljen
påvidareomovanpå
กำลังดำเนินอยู่บน
aaçıkalışkanlığındabağımlıçalışıyor
đang hoạt độngở trên
…的成员一个接一个上映上演上车

on

[ɒn]
When on is the second element in a phrasal verb, eg have on, get on, go on, look up the verb. When it is part of a set combination, such as broadside on, further on, look up the other word.
A. PREP
1. (indicating place, position) → en, sobre
on the ceiling → sobre el techo
on the Continent → en Europa
with her hat on her head → con el sombrero puesto
on page two → en la página dos
on the right → a la derecha
on the high seas → en alta mar
on all sides → por todas partes, por todos lados
a house on the square → una casa en la plaza
on the table → en or sobre la mesa
a meal on the train → una comida en el tren
hanging on the wall → colgado en la pared
2. (indicating time) on Friday → el viernes
on Fridays → los viernes
on May 14th → el catorce de mayo
on or about the 8th → el día 8 o por ahí
on and after the 15th → el día 15 y a partir de la misma fecha
on a day like this → (en) un día como éste
on the next day → al día siguiente
on some days it is → hay días cuando lo es
on the evening of July 2nd → el 2 de julio por la tarde
3. (= at the time of) on seeing him → al verlo
on my arrival → al llegar, a mi llegada
on my calling to him → al llamarle yo
4. (= about, concerning) → sobre, acerca de
a book on physics → un libro de or sobre física
he lectured on Keats → dio una conferencia sobre Keats
Eden on the events of 1956 → lo que dice Eden acerca de los acontecimientos de 1956
have you read Purnell on Churchill? → ¿has leído los comentarios de Purnell sobre Churchill?
have you heard the boss on the new tax? → ¿has oído lo que dice el jefe acerca de la nueva contribución?
while we're on the subject → como hablamos de esto
5. (= towards, against) the march on Rome → la marcha sobre Roma
an attack on the government → un ataque contra el gobierno
6. (= earning, receiving) he's on £6,000 a year → gana seis mil libras al año
a student on a grant → un estudiante con beca
many live on less than that → muchos viven con menos
7. (= taking, consuming)
I'm on a milk diet → sigo un régimen lácteo
he's back on drugs → ha vuelto a drogarse
he's on heroin → está enganchado a la heroína
I'm on three pills a day → tomo tres píldoras al día
see also live on A
8. (= engaged in) I'm on a new project → trabajo sobre un nuevo proyecto
we're on irregular verbs → estamos con los verbos irregulares
he's away on business → está en viaje de negocios
to be on holiday → estar de vacaciones
the company is on tour → la compañía está en gira
9. (indicating membership)
he's on the committee → es miembro del comité
he's on the permanent staff → es de plantilla
10. (= playing) with Louis Armstrong on trumpet → con Louis Armstrong a la trompeta
all the children play on the piano → todos los chicos saben tocar el piano
he played it on the violin → lo tocó al violín
11. (TV, Rad)
on the radio → en or por la radio
on television → en or por (la) televisión
there's a good film on TV tonight → esta noche dan una buena película en la tele
on video → en vídeo
12. (= about one's person) I haven't any money on me → no llevo dinero encima
13. (= after, according to) on this model → según este modelo
14. (= compared to) prices are up on last year('s) → los precios han subido frente a los del año pasado
15. (= at the expense of) this round's on me → esta ronda la pago yo, invito yo
the tour was on the Council → la gira la pagó el Consejo, corrió el Consejo con los gastos de la gira
it's on the house → la casa invita
16. (liter) woe on woe → dolor sobre dolor
snow on snow → nieve y más nieve
17. (phrases)
on account of → a causa de
on good authority → de buena tinta
on his authority → con su autorización
on average → por término medio
to swear on the Bible → prestar juramento sobre la Biblia
on a charge of murder → acusado de homicidio
on foot → a pie
on horseback → a caballo
on pain of → so pena de
on sale → de venta
on the telephone → por teléfono
on time → a la hora, a tiempo
see also base B2
B. ADV
1. (= in place) [lid etc] → puesto
the lid is on → la tapa está puesta
it's not on properly → no está bien puesto
see also screw on
2. (with clothes) to have one's boots on → llevar las botas puestas
to have one's coat on → tener el abrigo puesto
what's she got on? → ¿qué lleva puesto?, ¿cómo va vestida?
she had not got much on → iba muy ligera de ropa
3. (indicating time) from that day on → a partir de aquel día, de aquel día en adelante
on and off → de vez en cuando, a intervalos
it was well on in the evening → estaba ya muy entrada la tarde
well on in June → bien entrado junio
they talked well on into the night → hablaron hasta bien entrada la noche
well on in years → entrado en años, que va para viejo
see also further A1
see also later A2
4. (indicating continuation) to go/walk on → seguir adelante
to read on → seguir leyendo
he rambled on and on → estuvo dale que dale, estuvo dale y dale (esp LAm)
and so on (= and the rest) → y demás; (= etc) → etcétera
on with the show! → ¡que empiece or continúe el espectáculo!
on with the dancing girls! → ¡que salgan las bailarinas!
5. (in phrases)
what are you on about? → ¿de qué (me) hablas?
he's always on at me about it → me está majando continuamente con eso
see also go on
C. ADJ
1. (= functioning, in operation) to be on [engine] → estar encendido, estar en marcha; [switch] → estar encendido or conectado; [machine] → estar encendido or funcionando; [light] → estar encendido, estar prendido (LAm); [TV set etc] → estar encendido, estar puesto, estar prendido (LAm); [tap] → estar abierto; [brake etc] → estar puesto, estar echado
in the on position [tap] → abierto, en posición de abierto (Elec) → encendido, puesto, prendido (LAm)
2. (= being performed, shown) the show is now on → ha comenzado el espectáculo
the show is on in London → se ha estrenado el espectáculo en Londres
the show was on for only two weeks → el show estuvo solamente 15 días en cartelera
what's on at the cinema? → ¿qué ponen en el cine?
what's on at the theatre? → ¿qué dan en el teatro?
"what's on in London" → "cartelera de los espectáculos londinenses"
the programme is on in a minute → el programa empieza dentro de un minuto
there's a good film on tonight → hay una película buena esta noche
3. (= taking place) is the meeting still on tonight? → ¿sigue en pie la reunión de esta noche?, ¿se lleva a cabo siempre la reunión de esta noche? (LAm)
the deal is on → se ha cerrado el trato
4. (= arranged) have you got anything on this evening? → ¿tienes compromiso para esta noche?
sorry, I've got something on tonight → lo siento, esta noche tengo un compromiso
5. (= performing, working) to be on [actor] → estar en escena
you're on in five minutes → sales en cinco minutos
are you on next? → ¿te toca a ti la próxima vez?
are you on tomorrow? (= on duty) → ¿trabajas mañana?, ¿estás de turno mañana?
to have one day on and the next off → trabajar un día y el otro no
6. (indicating agreement, acceptance) you're on! → ¡te tomo la palabra!
are you still on for dinner tomorrow night? → ¿sigo contando contigo para cenar mañana?
that's not on (Brit) → eso no se hace, no hay derecho
D. EXCL → ¡adelante!
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

on

[ˈɒn]
prep
(indicating position) → sur
on an island → sur une île
on the table → sur la table
on the wall → sur le mur
on the continent
BUT sur le continent.
I haven't any money on me → Je n'ai pas d'argent sur moi.
on the 2nd floor
BUT au deuxième étage.
on the left → à gauche
on the right → à droite
(in vehicle) on the bus → dans le bus
There were no empty seats on the bus → Il n'y avait pas de places libres dans le bus.
I'm on the train → Je suis dans le train.
to be on a plane → être dans un avion
to go on the bus (= travel by bus) → prendre le bus
to go into town on the bus → aller en ville en bus
to go on the train (= travel by train) → prendre le train
on foot → à pied
on a bike → à vélo
I go to school on my bike → Je vais à l'école à vélo.
on TV → à la télé
What's on TV? → Qu'est-ce qu'il y a à la télé?
on the radio → à la radio
I heard it on the radio → Je l'ai entendu à la radio.
on the phone → au téléphone
(referring to time) on Friday → vendredi
on Fridays → le vendredi
on June 20th → le 20 juin
on Christmas Day → le jour de Noël
on my birthday → le jour de mon anniversaire
a week on Friday → vendredi en huit
on arrival → à l'arrivée
on seeing this → en voyant cela
(= after) year on year → année par année
month on month → mois par mois
(= about) → sur
a book on Balzac → un livre sur Balzac
(in pub) this round is on me → c'est ma tournée
(= taking) to be on sth [+ drug] → être sous qch
He was on Prozac for depression → Il était sous Prozac pour sa dépression.
to be on drugs → être drogué(e)
to have sth on sb [+ evidence against] → avoir qch (de compromettant) contre qn
You've got nothing on me! → Vous n'avez rien contre moi!
adv
(referring to dress, covering) to have one's coat on → porter son manteau
to have sth on (= be wearing) → porter qch
What's she got on? → Qu'est-ce qu'elle porte?
(= further, continuously) to walk on → continuer à marcher
to continue on → continuer
to work on → continuer à travailler
from that day on → depuis ce jour
on and off (= now and then) → de temps à autre
to be on about sth (= talking) → raconter qch
What are you on about? → Qu'est-ce que tu racontes?
adj
(= in operation) [machine] → en marche
Is the dishwasher on? → Est-ce que le lave-vaisselle est en marche?
[radio, TV, light] → allumé(e)
I think I left the light on → Je crois que j'ai laissé la lumière allumée.
[tap, gas] → ouvert(e)
Leave the tap on → Laisse le robinet ouvert.
[brakes] → mis(e)

Is the meeting still on? → Est-ce que la réunion a bien lieu?
to be on [film, programme] → passer
The film's on tonight → Le film passe ce soir.
What's on at the cinema? → Qu'est-ce qui passe au cinéma?
When is this film on? → Quand passe ce film?
that's not on! (= not acceptable) → cela ne se fait pas! (= not possible) → pas question!onboard computer [ˌɒnbɔːrdkəmˈpjuːtə] n [plane, train, spacecraft] → ordinateur m de bord
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

on


PREPOSITION
When on is the second element in a phrasal verb, eg live on, lecture on, look up the verb. When it is part of a set combination, eg on the right, on request, on occasion, look up the other word.

indicating place, position → auf (+dat); (with vb of motion) → auf (+acc); (on vertical surface, part of body) → an (+dat); (with vb of motion) → an (+acc); the book is on the table → das Buch ist auf dem Tisch; he put the book on the table → er legte das Buch auf den Tisch; it was on the blackboard → es stand an der Tafel; he hung it on the wall/nail → er hängte es an die Wand/den Nagel; a house on the coast/main road → ein Haus am Meer/an der Hauptstraße; on the bank of the river → am Flussufer; with a smile on her face → mit einem Lächeln auf den Lippen; a ring on his finger → ein Ring am Finger; her name is on the list → ihr Name ist auf der Liste; he hit his head on the table/on the ground → er hat sich (dat) → den Kopf am Tisch/auf dem or am Boden angeschlagen; they came on(to) the stage → sie kamen auf die Bühne; they advanced on the fort → sie rückten zum Fort vor; on TV/the radio → im Fernsehen/Radio; on video → auf Video; held on computer → auf Computer (dat) → gespeichert; who’s on his show tonight? → wer ist heute in seiner Show?; I have no money on me → ich habe kein Geld bei mir; we had something to eat on the train → wir haben im Zug etwas gegessen ? also onto
= by means of, using we went on the train/bus → wir fuhren mit dem Zug/Bus; on a bicycle → mit dem (Fahr)rad; on foot/horseback → zu Fuß/Pferd; the heating runs on oil → die Heizung wird mit Öl betrieben; to count something on one’s fingers → etw an den Fingern abzählen
= about, concerning → über (+acc); a book on German grammar → ein Buch über deutsche Grammatik; we read Stalin on Marx → wir lasen Stalins Ausführungen zu Marx; have you heard him on the subject? → haben Sie ihn zu diesem Thema gehört?; he has nothing on me (= no damaging information etc) → er hat nichts gegen mich in der Hand, er kann mir nichts anhaben
in expressions of time → an (+dat); on Sunday → (am) Sonntag; on Sundays → sonntags; on December the first → am ersten Dezember; stars visible on clear nights → Sterne, die in klaren Nächten sichtbar sind; on or about the twentieth → um den Zwanzigsten herum; on and after the twentieth → am Zwanzigsten und danach
= earning, getting I’m on £18,000 a year → ich bekomme £ 18.000 im Jahr; how much are you on? → wie viel verdienst or bekommst du?; he retired on a good pension → er trat mit einer guten Rente in den Ruhestand
= at the time of → bei (+dat); on my arrival → bei meiner Ankunft; on examination → bei der Untersuchung; on hearing this he left → als er das hörte, ging er
= as a result of → auf … (acc) → hin; on receiving my letter → auf meinen Brief hin
indicating membership → in (+dat); he is on the committee/the board → er gehört dem Ausschuss/Vorstand an, er sitzt im Ausschuss/Vorstand; he is on the “Evening News” → er ist bei der „Evening News“; he is on the teaching staff → er gehört zum Lehrpersonal
= doing to be on a course (Sch, Univ) → an einem Kurs teilnehmen; I am working on a new project → ich arbeite gerade an einem neuen Projekt; he was away on business → er war geschäftlich unterwegs; I am on overtime → ich mache Überstunden; we’re on the past tense (Sch) → wir sind bei der Vergangenheit; we were on page 72 → wir waren auf Seite 72
= at the expense of this round is on me → diese Runde geht auf meine Kosten; have it on me → das spendiere ich (dir), ich gebe (dir) das aus ? house
= compared with → im Vergleich zu; prices are up on last year(’s) → im Vergleich zum letzten Jahr sind die Preise gestiegen; he has nothing on me (= not as good as) → er kann mir nicht das Wasser reichen
= taking to be on drugs/the pill → Drogen/die Pille nehmen; what is he on? (inf) → er tickt wohl nicht ganz richtig! (inf)
indicating repetition he made mistake on mistake → er machte einen Fehler nach dem anderen
musical instrument he played (it) on the violin/trumpet → er spielte (es) auf der Geige/Trompete; on drums/piano → am Schlagzeug/Klavier; Roland Kirk on tenor sax → Roland Kirk, Tenorsaxofon
= according to → nach (+dat); on your theory → Ihrer Theorie nach or zufolge, nach Ihrer Theorie
ADVERB
= in place, covering he screwed the lid on → er schraubte den Deckel drauf; she had nothing on → sie hatte nichts an; what did he have on? → was hatte er an?; he had his hat on crooked → er hatte den Hut schief auf; he put his hat on → er setzte seinen Hut auf; he put his coat on → er zog seinen Mantel an
indicating position put it this way on → stellen/legen Sie es so herum (darauf); sideways on → längs
indicating forward movement move on! → gehen Sie weiter!, weitergehen!; on! on! → weiter! weiter!; to pass a message on → eine Nachricht weitergeben
indicating time from now on → von jetzt an; from that day on → von diesem Tag an; later on → später; it was well on in the night → es war zu vorgerückter Stunde, es war spät in der Nacht; it was well on into September → es war spät im September; early on in her career → schon früh in ihrer Karriere
indicating continuation to keep on talking → immer weiterreden, in einem fort reden; they walked on in silence → sie gingen schweigend weiter; go on with your work → machen Sie Ihre Arbeit weiter
set structures
? on and on they talked on and on → sie redeten und redeten, sie redeten unentwegt; the noise went on and on → der Lärm hörte überhaupt nicht auf; she went on and on → sie hörte gar nicht mehr auf
? to be on at sb (inf) he’s always on at me → er hackt dauernd auf mir herum, er meckert dauernd an mir herum (inf); he’s always on at me to get my hair cut → er liegt mir dauernd in den Ohren, dass ich mir die Haare schneiden lassen soll; he’s been on at me about that several times → er ist mir ein paar Mal damit gekommen (inf)
? to be on about sth (inf) she’s always on about her experiences in Italy → sie kommt dauernd mit ihren Italienerfahrungen (inf); what’s he on about? → wovon redet er nun schon wieder?; he knows what he’s on about → er weiß, wovon er redet
ADJECTIVE
= switched on, functioning lights, TV, radio → an; brake → angezogen; electricity, gas → an(gestellt); to leave the engine on → den Motor laufen lassen; the “on” switch → der Einschalter; in the “on” position → auf „ein“ gestellt; it wasn’t one of his on days (inf) → er war nicht gerade in Form
= in place lid, cover → drauf; his hat/tie was on crookedly → sein Hut saß/sein Schlips hing schief; his hat/coat was already on → er hatte den Hut schon auf/den Mantel schon an
= taking place there’s a tennis match on at the moment → ein Tennismatch ist gerade im Gang; there’s a tennis match on tomorrow → morgen findet ein Tennismatch statt; I have nothing on tonight → ich habe heute Abend nichts vor; what’s on in London? → was ist los in London?; there’s never anything on in this town → in dieser Stadt ist nie was los; the search is on for a new managing director → jetzt wird nach einem neuen Geschäftsführer gesucht
= being performed, performing to be on (in theatre, cinema) → gegeben or gezeigt werden; (on TV, radio) → gesendet or gezeigt werden; is that programme (Brit) or program (US) still on? → läuft das Programm noch?; the play is still on (= still running) → das Stück wird immer noch gegeben or gespielt; what’s on tonight? → was ist or steht heute Abend auf dem Programm?; who’s on tonight? (Theat, Film) → wer spielt heute Abend?, wer tritt heute Abend auf?; (TV) → wer kommt heute Abend (im Fernsehen)?; you’re on now (Theat, Rad, TV) → Ihr Auftritt!, Sie sind (jetzt) dran (inf); tell me when the English team is on → sagen Sie mir, wenn die englische Mannschaft dran ist or drankommt
indicating agreement, acceptability to be on (bet, agreement) → gelten; you’re on! → abgemacht!; are you on? (inf, = are you with us) → bist du mit von der Partie? (inf), → machst du mit?; are you on for dinner tonight? → sehen wir uns zum Abendessen?; you’re/he’s not on (Brit inf) → das ist nicht drin (inf); it’s just not on (Brit inf: = not acceptable) → das ist einfach nicht drin (inf), → das gibt es einfach nicht; his behaviour was really not on (Brit inf) → sein Benehmen war unmöglich
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

on

(on) preposition
1. touching, fixed to, covering etc the upper or outer side of. The book was lying on the table; He was standing on the floor; She wore a hat on her head.
2. in or into (a vehicle, train etc). We were sitting on the bus; I got on the wrong bus.
3. at or during a certain day, time etc. on Monday; On his arrival, he went straight to bed.
4. about. a book on the theatre.
5. in the state or process of. He's on holiday.
6. supported by. She was standing on one leg.
7. receiving, taking. on drugs; on a diet.
8. taking part in. He is on the committee; Which detective is working on this case?
9. towards. They marched on the town.
10. near or beside. a shop on the main road.
11. by means of. He played a tune on the violin; I spoke to him on the telephone.
12. being carried by. The thief had the stolen jewels on him.
13. when (something is, or has been, done). On investigation, there proved to be no need to panic.
14. followed by. disaster on disaster.
adverb
1. (especially of something being worn) so as to be touching, fixed to, covering etc the upper or outer side of. She put her hat on.
2. used to show a continuing state etc, onwards. She kept on asking questions; They moved on.
3. (also adjective) (of electric light, machines etc) working. The television is on; Turn/Switch the light on.
4. (also adjective) (of films etc) able to be seen. There's a good film on at the cinema this week.
5. (also adjective) in or into a vehicle, train etc. The bus stopped and we got on.
adjective
1. in progress. The game was on.
2. not cancelled. Is the party on tonight?
ˈoncoming adjective
approaching. oncoming traffic.
ˈongoing adjective
continuing. an ongoing argument.
ˈonward(s) adverb
moving forward (in place or time). They marched onward(s).
be on to (someone)
to have discovered (a person's) trick, secret etc. The thieves realized that the police were on to them.
on and on
used with certain verbs to emphasize the length of an activity. She kept on and on asking questions.
on time
at the right time. He got here on time.
on to / ˈonto
to a position on. He lifted it onto the table.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.

on

→ عَلَى na, zapnutý på, tændt auf επί, πάνω en, encendido päällä sous tension, sur na, uključen acceso, su ･･･の上に, 物の上に載って ...의 위에, 켜진 aan, op på dalej, na em cima de, ligado выключенный, на på กำลังดำเนินอยู่, บน üzerinde, üzerindeki đang hoạt động, ở trên 在...之上, 在上
Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009

on

prep. sobre, encima, en, hacia; [before inf.] después de; al;
___ an average → por término medio;
___ the contrary → al contrario;
___ the left foot → en el pie izquierdo;
___ the right eye → en el ojo derecho;
___ the table → sobre la mesa, encima de la mesa;
a. [clothing] puesto-a;
She has the robe on → Ella tiene la bata ___; [after a verb];
Go ___ ! → ¡Siga, sigue!; ¡Continúe, continúa!;
v.
to be ___ call → estar de guardia;
caught ___ → atrapado-a en;
___ condition that you come back → con tal de que vuelva;
later ___ → más tarde;
off and ___ → a intervalos, de vez en cuando;
___ and ___ → continuamente, sin cesar, sin parar;
___ purpose → a propósito; [function] funcionando;
The machine is on → El aparato está funcionando;
adv.
___ account of → a causa de;
___ all sides → por todos lados.
English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
Collins Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009

on

prep (drugs, a medication, etc.) usando, tomando, bajo el efecto de; Are you on lithium?..¿Está tomando litio?…Were you on PCP when you kicked the policeman?..¿Estaba bajo el efecto de la fenciclidina cuando le dio una patada al policía?
English-Spanish/Spanish-English Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Mentioned in
Copyright © 2003-2025 Farlex, Inc Disclaimer
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.