onto
ON-too
Onto (prep) means moving to a position on top of or upon something. Example: “The cat jumped onto the windowsill.”
prep
1
Moving to a position on top of or upon something.
"The cat jumped onto the windowsill."
"He climbed onto the roof to fix the loose tile."
"Please put the shopping onto the kitchen table."
2
Aware of what someone is doing, especially something suspicious or secret.
"The police were onto the smuggling ring within weeks."
"I could tell my sister was onto me when she saw the hidden biscuits."
"The teacher was onto their plan before the pupils had even left the room."
How to use onto
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMoving to a position on top of something, or (informally) aware of a secret or plan.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "on to," written as two words, which is used when "on" belongs with the verb before it (e.g., "hold on to your hat," not "hold onto your hat" in strict style — though both are common in everyday writing).
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The cat jumped _____ the windowsill.
Etymology
Formed from on + to, modeled on the pattern of "into."
Related words
Rhymes for onto
See all rhymes for onto →Frequently asked questions
What does “onto” mean?
The word “onto” means moving to a position on top of or upon something. In plain terms, moving to a position on top of something, or (informally) aware of a secret or plan.
How do you pronounce “onto”?
“Onto” is pronounced ON-too (/ˈɒn.tuː/ in IPA).
How do you use “onto” in a sentence?
Here is “onto” used in a sentence: “The cat jumped onto the windowsill.”
What part of speech is “onto”?
“Onto” is a preposition.
Is “onto” a common word?
“Onto” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “onto” have?
“Onto” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: moving to a position on top of or upon something.
What is the difference between onto and on to?
'Onto' as one word shows movement to a position on top of something: 'she climbed onto the roof.' 'On to' as two words happens when 'on' belongs to a verb and 'to' starts the next phrase: 'let's move on to the next point.' A quick test: if 'up' fits before it, 'onto' is right.
What is the difference between onto and into?
'Onto' means movement to a surface or a position on top of something, as in 'the cat jumped onto the table.' 'Into' means movement to the inside of something enclosed, as in 'the coin fell into the box.' Onto lands on top of a surface, while into goes inside.
What is an example of onto in a sentence?
You can say 'he lifted the box onto the shelf,' 'the dog leapt onto the sofa,' or 'they stepped onto the platform.' In each case, onto shows something moving to rest on top of a surface. It answers the question of where the movement ends up settling.
Is onto a real word?
Yes, onto is a standard, accepted word in modern English, used as a preposition showing movement to a position on top of something. It is fully correct in both everyday and formal writing. Take care only to distinguish it from the two-word phrase 'on to,' which has a different use.
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