so as to be or remain supported by or suspended from

Put your package down on the table; Hang your coat on the hook.

so as to be attached to or unified with

Hang the picture on the wall. Paste the label on the package.

so as to be a covering or wrapping for

Put the blanket on the baby. Put aluminum foil on the lamb chops before freezing them.

in connection, association, or cooperation with; as a part or element of

to serve on a jury.

so as to be a supporting part, base, backing, etc., of

a painting on canvas; mounted on cardboard; legs on a chair.

(used to indicate place, location, situation, etc.)

a scar on the face; the book on the table; a house on 19th Street.

(used to indicate immediate proximity)

a house on the lake; to border on absurdity.

in the direction of

on the left; to sail on a southerly course.

(used to indicate a means of conveyance or a means of supporting or supplying movement)

on the wing; This car runs on electricity. Can you walk on your hands? I'll be there on the noon plane.

by the agency or means of

drunk on wine; talking on the phone; I saw it on television.

in addition to

millions on millions of stars.

with respect or regard to (used to indicate the object of an action directed against or toward)

Let's play a joke on him. Write a critical essay on Shakespeare.

in a state or condition of; in the process of

on strike; The house is on fire!

subject to

a doctor on call.

engaged in or involved with

He's on the second chapter now.

(used to indicate a source or a person or thing that serves as a source or agent)

a duty on imported goods; She depends on her friends for encouragement.

(used to indicate a basis or ground)

on my word of honor; The movie is based on the book.

(used to indicate risk or liability)

on pain of death.

(used to indicate progress toward or completion of an objective)

We completed the project on budget.

assigned to or occupied with; operating

Who's on the switchboard this afternoon?

Informal . so as to disturb or affect adversely

My hair dryer broke on me.

Informal . paid for by, esp. as a treat or gift

Dinner is on me.

taking or using as a prescribed measure, cure, or the like

The doctor had her on a low-salt diet.

regularly taking or addicted to

He was on drugs for two years.

Informal . with; carried by

I have no money on me.

(used to indicate time or occasion)

on Sunday; We demand cash on delivery.

(used to indicate the object or end of motion)

to march on the capital.

(used to indicate the object or end of action, thought, desire, etc.)

to gaze on a scene.

(used to indicate subject, reference, or respect)

views on public matters.

(used to indicate an encounter)

The pickpocket crept up on a victim.

in, into, or onto a position of being supported or attached

Sew the buttons on.

in, into, or onto a position of covering or wrapping

Put your raincoat on.

fast to a thing, as for support

Hold on!

toward a place, point, activity, or object

to look on while others work.

forward, onward, or along, as in any course or process

further on.

with continuous activity

to work on.

into or in active operation or performance

Turn the gas on.

operating or in use

The television set was on. Is your brake on?

taking place; occurring

Don't you know there's a war on?

performing or broadcasting

The radio announcer told us we were on.

Informal .

behaving in a theatrical, lively, or ingratiating way

Around close friends, one doesn't have to be on every minute.

functioning or performing at one's best

When she's on, no other tennis player is half as good.

scheduled or planned

Anything on after supper?

Baseball . positioned on a base or bases

They had two men on when he hit the home run.

Cricket . noting that side of the wicket, or of the field, on which the batsman stands.

Cricket . the on side. ?

on and off

off ( def. 22a ) .

on and on, at great length

so as to become tiresome

They rambled on and on about their grandchildren.

on the bow

Nautical . bow 3 ( def. 8 ) .

on to, aware of the true nature, motive

or meaning of

I'm on to your little game.

adverb

off

adverb

about , above , adjacent , against , approaching , at , beside , close to , covering , forth , forward , held , leaning on , near , next , on top of , onward , over , resting on , situated on , supported , touching , toward , upon , with , ahead , along , atop , within