on

Meanings

1. 1
   adv

   with a forward motion

   we drove along admiring the view

2. 2
   adv

   indicates continuity or persistence or concentration

   The band's spirit lives on in the music they made.

3. 3
   adv

   in a state required for something to function or be effective

   turn the lights on

4. 4
   adj

   in operation or operational

   left the oven on

5. 5
   adj

   of events, planned or scheduled

   The picnic is on, rain or shine.

6. 6
   adj

   In the state of being active, functioning or operating.

   All the lights are on, so they must be home.

7. 7
   adj

   Happening; taking place; being or due to be put into action.

   We had to ration our food because there was a war on.

8. 8
   adj

   Fitted; covering or being worn.

   Your feet will soon warm up once your socks are on.

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂en-der. Proto-Germanic *an Proto-West Germanic *ana Old English on Middle English on English on From Middle English on, from Old English on, an (“on, upon, onto, in, into”), from Proto-West Germanic *ana, from Proto-Germanic *ana (“on, at”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂en- (“on, onto”). Cognates Cognate with Yola a, an, ana, on (“on”), Saterland Frisian an (“on; at”), West Frisian oan (“on; to, towards”), Cimbrian aan, å (“on, onto”), Dutch aan (“on; at”), Low German an (“on; at, to”), German an (“at, in; on”), Luxembourgish un (“on; at, to”), Yiddish אָן…