English dictionary: words starting with on

preposition

Physically in contact with and supported by (a surface).

Usage examples:

On the table was a water jug

adverb

Physically in contact with and supported by a surface.

Usage examples:

Make sure the lid is on

noun

The leg side.

Usage examples:

Playing a ball pitched on the off stump to the on side was satisfying.

suffix

Forming nouns denoting subatomic particles or quanta.

Usage examples:

Neutron

abbreviation

Ontario (in official postal use).

phrase

Be unlikely to succeed, or be unlikely to gain much advantage if one does.

Usage examples:

Politically we are on a hiding to nothing in the long run

idiom

To be trying to do something when there is no chance that you will succeed

adjective

(of a surface) not rising or falling or higher on one side, but even in all directions; horizontal or flat

Usage examples:

The table wobbles because the floor is not level., the top of the tree is level with his bedroom wi…

noun

The amount of something that exists, especially when it is counted or measured

Usage examples:

Unions are calling for pay increases above the current level of inflation., we must reduce the risk…

idiom

Equal or similar to someone or something

Usage examples:

In my opinion, none of the new jazz trumpeters are on a par with miles davis.

idiom

Equal or similar to someone or something

Usage examples:

In my opinion, none of the new jazz trumpeters are on a par with miles davis.

phrase

Experiencing a prolonged spell of success or good luck.

Usage examples:

The organization is on a roll

idiom

Infml experiencing a period of success or good luck

Usage examples:

They’ve won nine games in a row, so they’re obviously on a roll.

idiom

If you do something on a shoestring, you do it with a very small amount of money

Usage examples:

The film was made on a shoestring.

phrase

With only the slightest chance of success.

Usage examples:

To ignore this is to run your business on a wing and a prayer, which is pure chance and takes your …

idiom

If you do something on a wing and a prayer, you do it hoping that you will succeed, although you are not prepared enough for it

Usage examples:

With hardly any funding and a staff of six, they were operating on a wing and a prayer.

idiom

Because of something

phrase

On hands and knees or (of an animal) on all four legs rather than just the hind ones.

Usage examples:

Frankie scuttled away on all fours

idiom

Having both knees and hands on the ground

Usage examples:

Shirelle was on all fours, looking for her contact lens.

phrase

To be in an equal, safe, etc. situation

Usage examples:

Men and women should be able to compete for jobs on an equal footing., somehow we have to get the i…

idiom

If something happens on and off during a period of time, it happens sometimes

Usage examples:

I've had toothache on and off for a couple of months.

idiom

Usually

Usage examples:

On average, a person’s income is highest when they are in their mid-50s., the city's police chief s…

idiom

After considering the power or influence of both sides of a question

Usage examples:

The job offer had some advantages, but on balance he thought he was better off where he was.

phrase

In a position in which the knee of one leg is touching the floor

Usage examples:

He went down on bended knee to ask her to marry him., he expects politicians to go to him on bended…

idiom

If a worker such as a doctor is on call, he or she is available to work or make official visits at any time when needed

Usage examples:

She's a doctor, so she's often on call at the weekend., an on-call specialist/firefighter/judge, my…

phrase

Extremely happy.

Usage examples:

I was on cloud nine once i had completed it

idiom

To be extremely happy and excited

Usage examples:

"was helen pleased about getting that job?" "pleased? she was on cloud nine!"

phrase

Only if

Usage examples:

I'll come to the party on the condition that you don't wear those ridiculous trousers!, they offere…

idiom

Infml in any conditions; of all possible things

Usage examples:

How on earth did this happen?, what on earth is that awful noise?

phrase

Nervous and not relaxed

Usage examples:

Is something wrong? you seem a bit on edge this morning., everyone present was on edge, waiting to …

idiom

Continuously

Usage examples:

She practices the violin for hours on end.

idiom

If something is on fire, it is burning when it should not be

Usage examples:

If your home was on fire and you could save only one thing, what would it be?, the field behind the…

noun

Very attractive; as good as it could be

Usage examples:

This is a look that is totally on fleek!

noun

A period of time during which something lasts

Usage examples:

Watson’s term as chairman expired last month., he served a prison term for robbery., this budget pl…

idiom

Vigilant

phrase

On duty to protect or defend something.

Usage examples:

Security staff are permanently on guard