on
2 synonyms and 1 antonyms for on, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Prep — Positioned at, upon, or touching the surface of something.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Antonyms
How to use on
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old Norse ón, án (“without”), from Proto-Germanic *ēnu, *ēno, *ino (“without”), from Proto-Indo-European *ḗnu (“without”). Cognate with North Frisian on (“without”), Middle Dutch an, on (“without”), Middle Low German āne (“without”), German ohne (“without”), Gothic 𐌹𐌽𐌿 (inu, “without, except”). Unlikely to be rela...
Full origin of on →Frequently asked questions
What does “on” mean?
The word “on” means positioned at, upon, or touching the surface of something. In plain terms, touching a surface, happening at a certain time, or switched on/active.
How do you pronounce “on”?
“On” is pronounced on (/ɒn/ in IPA).
How do you use “on” in a sentence?
Here is “on” used in a sentence: “The book is on the table.”
What is the opposite of “on”?
The opposite of “on” — its antonyms — is off.
What part of speech is “on”?
Depending on how it is used, “on” can be a preposition, an adjective and an adverb.
Is “on” a common word?
“On” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “on” have?
“On” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: positioned at, upon, or touching the surface of something.
What is the difference between "on" and "in" for dates and times?
"On" goes with days and dates: "on Monday", "on July 4th", "on my birthday." "In" goes with longer periods such as months, years, and seasons: "in July", "in 2020", "in winter."
What is the difference between "on" and "onto"?
"On" describes position — something resting at or touching a surface: "the cup is on the table." "Onto" describes movement that ends on a surface: "the cat jumped onto the table." When there is motion toward a surface, "onto" is usually the clearer choice.
Is it "on the weekend" or "at the weekend"?
Both are correct — the difference is regional. American English says "on the weekend", while British English prefers "at the weekend." "Over the weekend" is used in both varieties for something spanning the whole weekend.
What is the difference between "on" and "upon"?
"Upon" means the same as "on" in most positional uses but is more formal and literary: "once upon a time", "row upon row." In everyday sentences "on" is the normal choice, and substituting "upon" tends to sound old-fashioned.