on
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++on1 /ɒn $ ɑːn, ɒːn/ ●●● S1 W1 preposition 1 ON/ON TOP OFon a surface 在表面上 a) touching a surface or being supported by a surface 在…上面〔表示接触或由某一表面支撑着〕 Leave your things on the table over there. 把你的东西放在那边的桌子上。 People were sunbathing on the grass. 人们在草地上晒日光浴。 The little girl was sitting on her father’s shoulders. 小女孩坐在她爸爸的肩上。 b) used to say that someone or something moves so that they are then touching or supported by a surface 〔经移动后〕在…上 snow falling on the mountainsides 落在山坡上的雪 He threw himself on the bed. 他一头倒在床上。2 supporting your body 支撑住身体 used to say what part of someone’s body is touching the ground or another surface and supporting their weight 由…支撑，由…支持 She was on her feet in no time. 她立刻站了起来。 He was on his hands and knees searching for something. 他趴在地上找东西。 Can you stand on your head? 你会倒立吗？3 part hit/touched 某部分被打到/碰到 used to say what part of someone or something is hit or touched 到…上；在…上 I wanted to punch him on the nose. 我真想一拳打到他鼻子上。 Matt kissed her on the cheek. 马特亲吻了她的脸颊。4 written/shown 写在/出现在 used to say where something is written or shown 写在…上；出现在…上 There’s a diagram on page 25. 第25页上有个图表。 He wrote his phone number on a piece of paper. 他把自己的电话号码写在一张纸上。5 CONNECTED WITHSUPPORT/HOLD UPattached 依附的 attached to or hanging from something 附在…上；挂在…上 She hung her coat on a hook. 她把外套挂在衣钩上。 Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times. 任何时候都要用皮带把狗拴住。6 place 地方 in a particular place 在〔某地〕 The town is right on the border. 这个城镇就在边境上。 Is there a water supply on the island? 岛上有供水吗？ He grew up on a ranch in California. 他在加利福尼亚的一个牧场里长大。 a store on Fifth Avenue 第五大道上的一家商店7 DIRECTIONposition 位置 in a particular position in relation to something else 〔与其他事物相比〕在〔某位置〕 You’ll see the school on your left. 你会看到学校在你的左边。 They live on the opposite side of the town. 他们住在镇子的另一头。8 looking/pointing 看向/指向 looking or pointing towards something or someone 对着，朝〔某物或某人〕 His eyes were on the stranger standing in the doorway. 他的眼睛看着站在门口的那个陌生人。 She trained her binoculars on the house. 她把望远镜对准了那幢房子。9 TIME/AT A PARTICULAR TIMEday/date 日子/日期 during a particular day 在〔某一天〕10 EFFECT/INFLUENCEaffecting/relating to 对…造成影响/和…有关系 affecting or relating to someone or something 对…11 about 关于ABOUT about a particular subject 关于…，有关…12 orders/advice 命令/建议 as a result of someone’s order, request, or advice 根据，按照〔某人的命令、要求或建议〕13 eat/drink 吃/喝 used to talk about what someone usually eats or drinks 吃…；喝…14 TTTRAVELtransport 运输15 DFmoney 钱 receiving money for a job or as a regular payment 挣…钱，工资为…16 fuel 燃料 using a particular type of fuel or power 以…为燃料，用…作动力17 MDmedicine/drugs 药/毒品 taking a particular drug or medicine regularly 〔经常性地〕服用 OPP off18. what’s somebody on? spoken used to say that someone is behaving in a very strange way, as if they are taking an illegal drug 某人吃错什么药了？ 某人吸了什么毒了？〔用于表示某人的举止十分异常，好像吸食了毒品似的〕19 using equipment 使用设备 using a machine or piece of equipment 用〔机器或设备〕20 musical instruments 乐器 playing a musical instrument 用〔某种乐器〕21 TCTAMTradio/television 广播/电视 being broadcast by radio or television 在〔广播或电视〕上22 recorded 录制的 used to say in what form information is stored or music, films etc are recorded 以…方式存储[录制]23 TRAVELactivity/journey 活动/旅行 taking part in an activity or travelling somewhere 在〔活动或旅行〕中24 SSODSincluded 包括在内的 included in a group or team of people or in a list 在〔群体或团队〕中；在〔名单〕上25 when STH happens 某事发生时 formalIMMEDIATELY as soon as someone has done something or as soon as something has happened 在…的时候，当…时26 compared with STH 与某物相比COMPARE compared with another person or thing 和〔另一人或物〕相比27 carrying STH 携带某物 informalHAVE if you have something on you, you have it in your pocket, your bag etc 在…身上28 PAY 支付be on somebody spokenPAY FOR used to say who is going to pay for something 由某人付钱29 telephone number 电话号码 used to say what number you should use in order to telephone someone 打…电话号码 SYN American English at30 causing SB problems 给某人带来麻烦BREAK used when something bad happens to you, for example when something you are using suddenly stops working, or someone you have a relationship with suddenly leaves you 〔不好的事发生〕在…身上
Examples from the Corpus
on• a book on 19th century English Literature• Did you make these graphs on a computer?• Didn't Jim grow up on a farm?• a book on China• Aren't you coming here on Christmas Day?• Did you call dad on Father's Day?• Finding parking on Main Street is impossible.• Dinner's on me tonight.• Granddad lives on meat and potatoes.• Don't put your feet on my desk!• a lecture on Native American customs and folklore• Are you doing anything special on Saturday night?• Did you see that programme on South Africa last night?• Four bottles of wine were standing on the shelf.• Harry's the guy sitting on the sofa there.• Hal's on the swim team and the basketball team.• El Paso is located on the U.S.-Mexico border.• Could you give some advice on what to wear?• Do you have any ideas on where to eat tonight?• Could you stop by the store on your way home?on doing something• On hearing the news of the air attack most foreigners headed for the border.on2 ●●● S1 W1 adjective, adverb [not before noun] 1 CONTINUE/NOT STOPcontinuing 继续 used to say that someone continues to do something or something continues to happen, without stopping 继续的[地]，不停的[地]2 FORWARDfurther 进一步 if you move, walk etc on, you move forward or further towards something 继续往前的[地]，再向前的[地]3 BEFOREAFTERlater 以后 later than or after a particular time 之后，以后4 DCCwearing STH 穿戴某物WEAR CLOTHES if you have something on, you are wearing it 穿[戴]上5 attached 附着的 used to say that something is attached to something else, especially when it is in the correct position 覆盖；附着〔尤在正确的位置上〕 OPP off6 written 书写的 used to say that something is written somewhere 写着的7 TTENTERtransport 运输 in or into a bus, train etc 登上〔公共汽车、火车等〕 OPP off8 ON/SWITCHED ONlight/machine 灯/机器 if a machine, light etc is on, it is operating 〔机器、灯等〕运作的，开着的 OPP off9 TCBTELEVISION/RADIObeing broadcast 正在播放的 if a radio or television programme etc is on, it is being broadcast 〔广播或电视节目〕正在播出的10 HAPPENevents 事件 if an event is on, it has been arranged and is happening or will happen 正在[将要]发生的 OPP off 11 APTperforming/speaking 表演/演讲 performing or speaking in public 表演；演讲12 working 在工作 if you are on at a particular time, you are doing your job at that time 工作，上班13 have something on informalBUSY/HAVE A LOT TO DO if you have something on, there is something that you must do 有事要干14 on and off (also off and on)REGULAR for short periods but not regularly over a long period of time 断断续续地，间歇地15 be/go/keep on at somebody informalASK FOR something/ASK somebody TO DO something to keep complaining to someone or asking someone to do something, especially when this annoys them 不停地对某人发牢骚；不断地要某人做某事16 be/go/keep on about something British English informalTALK TO somebody to keep talking about something, in a way that is boring or annoying 〔令人生厌地〕不断谈论某事物17 be not on British English spokenACCEPT if something is not on, it is not acceptable or reasonable 〔某事〕不行，不能接受，不合理18 be on for something spoken to be ready or willing to do something that someone has suggested 准备做某事；愿意做某事19 you’re on spoken used to tell someone that you accept a bet or an invitation to compete against them 赌就赌，我接受 → ontoExamples from the Corpus
on• You should visit Chicago while the festival is on.• OK, who left the lights on?• Rick was standing there with nothing on.• I sent Dan on ahead to find us seats at the theater.• Put your shoes on, and let's go.• There's a good comedy on at eight.• I usually get on at Irving Street.• As far as we know, the game is still on for tomorrow.• Let's go on. I want to get home before it gets dark.• You're on in two minutes.on and on• I could go on and on but you already got more than you probably wanted out of this answer.• I hope, I really hope, that this will not drag on and on and on.• I went on and on at her: draw me, draw me, draw me, Mummy!• It goes on and on that way for two solid months, like a sixty-day trance-like a contact high.• She goes on and on and on.• The high blue summer weather goes on and on and by mid-afternoon it's hot up here under the leads.• The war may well just go on and on.• Yet the pump runs on and on, its noise now a constant accompaniment to their once-quiet lives.Origin on1 Old Englishon1 preposition →10-19 →20-30
→5 GRAMMAR1 →n GRAMMAR2on2 adjective →10-19
LDOCE OnlineChinese
→5 GRAMMAR1 →n GRAMMAR2on2 adjective →10-19
LDOCE OnlineChinese
being a supported surface touching by surface or Corpus a
on
on1 S1 W1 /ɒn $ ɑːn, ɒːn/ 
preposition
a. touching a surface or being supported by a surface:
Leave your things on the table over there.
People were sunbathing on the grass.
The little girl was sitting on her father’s shoulders.
b. used to say that someone or something moves so that they are then touching or supported by a surface:
snow falling on the mountainsides
He threw himself on the bed.
2. SUPPORTING YOUR BODY used to say what part of someone’s body is touching the ground or another surface and supporting their weight:
She was on her feet in no time.
He was on his hands and knees searching for something.
Can you stand on your head?
3. PART HIT/TOUCHED used to say what part of someone or something is hit or touched:
I wanted to punch him on the nose.
Matt kissed her on the cheek.
4. WRITTEN/SHOWN used to say where something is written or shown:
There’s a diagram on page 25.
He wrote his phone number on a piece of paper.
5. ATTACHED attached to or hanging from something:
She hung her coat on a hook.
Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times.
6. PLACE in a particular place:
The town is right on the border.
Is there a water supply on the island?
He grew up on a ranch in California.
a store on Fifth Avenue
7. POSITION in a particular position in relation to something else:
You’ll see the school on your left.
They live on the opposite side of the town.
8. LOOKING/POINTING looking or pointing towards something or someone:
His eyes were on the stranger standing in the doorway.
She trained her binoculars on the house.
9. DAY/DATE during a particular day:
They’ll be here on Tuesday.
I was born on July 1st.
We’ll see you on Christmas Eve.
GRAMMAR
Do not use on before 'this', 'last', or 'next' and a day of the week:
▪The school reopened last Tuesday (NOT on last Tuesday).
10. AFFECTING/RELATING TO affecting or relating to someone or something:
a tax on cigarettes
his influence on young people
There will be new restrictions on the sale of weapons.
What effect will these changes have on the tourist industry?
11. ABOUT about a particular subject:
Do you have any books on India?
You can get information on local services by calling this number.
an international conference on global warming
12. ORDERS/ADVICE as a result of someone’s order, request, or advice:
He was killed on the King’s orders.
I accepted the offer on the advice of my lawyer.
13. EAT/DRINK used to talk about what someone usually eats or drinks:
They live mainly on beans, lentils, and rice.
Is your baby on solid food yet?
14. TRANSPORT
a. in or into a bus, train, plane etc
OPP off:
Did you manage to sleep on the plane?
Tommy should be on the six o'clock train.
She got on the first bus that came along.
b. riding something:
a statue of the King on horseback
I’ll probably come on my bike.
15. MONEY receiving money for a job or as a regular payment:
He’s on quite a good salary now.
She must be on at least £50,000 a year.
the difficulties faced by families on low incomes
16. FUEL using a particular type of fuel or power:
Most buses run on diesel.
Does it work on mains electricity?
17. MEDICINE/DRUGS taking a particular drug or medicine regularly
OPP off:
Are you still on antibiotics?
The doctor put her on Prozac.
A lot of these kids are on heroin by the age of 12.
18. what’s somebody on? spoken used to say that someone is behaving in a very strange way, as if they are taking an illegal drug
19. USING EQUIPMENT using a machine or piece of equipment:
He’s been on the computer all afternoon.
Is Rachel still on the phone?
20. MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS playing a musical instrument:
He played a short piece on the piano.
The album features Rick Wakeman on keyboards.
21. RADIO/TELEVISION being broadcast by radio or television:
What’s on TV tonight?
Did you hear that programme on the radio last night?
22. RECORDED used to say in what form information is stored or music, films etc are recorded:
The movie is now available on video and DVD.
I always keep a backup copy on disk.
23. ACTIVITY/JOURNEY taking part in an activity or travelling somewhere:
She’s on a course all this week.
I met him on vacation in Canada.
My girlfriend is often away on business trips.
24. INCLUDED included in a group or team of people or in a list:
Are you still on the management committee?
Mr Edwards is no longer on the staff here.
Whose team are you on?
There was no steak on the menu.
What’s the next item on the agenda?
25. WHEN SOMETHING HAPPENS formal as soon as someone has done something or as soon as something has happened:
Couples are presented with a bottle of wine on their arrival at the hotel.
All patients are examined on admission to the hospital.
on doing something
What was your reaction on seeing him?
26. COMPARED WITH SOMETHING compared with another person or thing:
This essay is a definite improvement on your last one.
Sales are 10% up on last year.
27. CARRYING SOMETHING informal if you have something on you, you have it in your pocket, your bag etc:
I don’t have any money on me.
28. PAY be on somebody spoken used to say who is going to pay for something:
The drinks are on me!
Each table will get a bottle of champagne on the house (=paid for by the restaurant, hotel etc).
29. TELEPHONE NUMBER used to say what number you should use in order to telephone someone
SYN at American English:
You can contact me on this number.
30. CAUSING SOMEBODY PROBLEMS used when something bad happens to you, for example when something you are using suddenly stops working, or someone you have a relationship with suddenly leaves you:
Suddenly the telephone went dead on me.
Dorothy’s first husband walked out on her.
▪ about used when saying what the subject of something is: She’s always talking about you. | In her novels she writes about life in South Africa. | There’s something I wanted to ask you about.
▪on about a particular subject: a book on English grammar | a report on poverty in rural areas
▪concerning/regarding formal about: Prince Saiid answered questions concerning Kuwait’s future. | The report raises a number of questions regarding food safety.
▪with regard to formal about – used especially when you want to start talking or writing about something: Dear Sir, I’m writing with regard to your advertisement in The Times.
▪re used in business letters and in emails to introduce the subject that you are going to write about: Re: Friday’s meeting
on2 S1 W1 adjective, adverb [not before noun]
1. CONTINUING used to say that someone continues to do something or something continues to happen, without stopping:
We decided to play on even though it was snowing.
He went on and on (=talked for a very long time) about his job all evening.
2. FURTHER if you move, walk etc on, you move forward or further towards something:
If you walk on a little, you can see the coast.
We drove on towards Manchester.
3. LATER later than or after a particular time:
Now, 40 years on, this is one of the most successful theatres in the country.
From that moment on I never believed a word she said.
4. WEARING SOMETHING if you have something on, you are wearing it:
All he had on was a pair of tattered shorts.
Put your coat on. It’s freezing outside.
5. ATTACHED used to say that something is attached to something else, especially when it is in the correct position
OPP off:
Is the cover on properly?
Remember to put the lid back on.
6. WRITTEN used to say that something is written somewhere:
He was wearing a badge with his name on.
7. TRANSPORT in or into a bus, train etc
OPP off:
The train stopped and two people got on.
8. LIGHT/MACHINE if a machine, light etc is on, it is operating
OPP off:
Who left all the lights on?
The TV’s on, but nobody seems to be watching it.
He sat down at the desk and switched on the computer.
9. BEING BROADCAST if a radio or television programme etc is on, it is being broadcast:
What time is ‘Star Trek’ on?
10. EVENTS if an event is on, it has been arranged and is happening or will happen
OPP off:
The transport union has confirmed that the strike is definitely on.
I’d avoid the city centre – there’s some kind of procession on.
Is the party still on tonight or have they cancelled it?
11. PERFORMING/SPEAKING performing or speaking in public:
You’re on in two minutes.
12. WORKING if you are on at a particular time, you are doing your job at that time:
I’m not on again until two o'clock tomorrow.
13. have something on informal if you have something on, there is something that you must do:
I haven’t got anything on tomorrow, so I could see you then.
We’ve got a lot on at the moment.
14. on and off (also off and on) for short periods but not regularly over a long period of time:
He’s been smoking for ten years now, on and off.
15. be/go/keep on at somebody informal to keep complaining to someone or asking someone to do something, especially when this annoys them:
I’ve been on at him to fix that cupboard for weeks now.
I wish you wouldn’t go on at me the whole time!
16. be/go/keep on about something British English informal to keep talking about something, in a way that is boring or annoying:
He’s always going on about money.
I don’t know what you’re on about!
17. be not on British English spoken if something is not on, it is not acceptable or reasonable:
I’m sorry, what you’re suggesting is just not on!
18. be on for something spoken to be ready or willing to do something that someone has suggested:
Right, how many of you are on for a drink after work?
19. you’re on spoken used to tell someone that you accept a bet or an invitation to compete against them:
‘I bet you £20 he won’t turn up.’ ‘You’re on!’
⇨ onto
| I |
preposition Language: Old English
1. ON A SURFACE a. touching a surface or being supported by a surface:
b. used to say that someone or something moves so that they are then touching or supported by a surface:
2. SUPPORTING YOUR BODY used to say what part of someone’s body is touching the ground or another surface and supporting their weight:
3. PART HIT/TOUCHED used to say what part of someone or something is hit or touched:
4. WRITTEN/SHOWN used to say where something is written or shown:
5. ATTACHED attached to or hanging from something:
6. PLACE in a particular place:
7. POSITION in a particular position in relation to something else:
8. LOOKING/POINTING looking or pointing towards something or someone:
9. DAY/DATE during a particular day:
GRAMMAR
Do not use on before 'this', 'last', or 'next' and a day of the week:
▪
10. AFFECTING/RELATING TO affecting or relating to someone or something:
11. ABOUT about a particular subject:
12. ORDERS/ADVICE as a result of someone’s order, request, or advice:
13. EAT/DRINK used to talk about what someone usually eats or drinks:
14. TRANSPORT
a. in or into a bus, train, plane etc
OPP off:
b. riding something:
15. MONEY receiving money for a job or as a regular payment:
16. FUEL using a particular type of fuel or power:
17. MEDICINE/DRUGS taking a particular drug or medicine regularly
OPP off:
18. what’s somebody on? spoken used to say that someone is behaving in a very strange way, as if they are taking an illegal drug
19. USING EQUIPMENT using a machine or piece of equipment:
20. MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS playing a musical instrument:
21. RADIO/TELEVISION being broadcast by radio or television:
22. RECORDED used to say in what form information is stored or music, films etc are recorded:
23. ACTIVITY/JOURNEY taking part in an activity or travelling somewhere:
24. INCLUDED included in a group or team of people or in a list:
25. WHEN SOMETHING HAPPENS formal as soon as someone has done something or as soon as something has happened:
on doing something
26. COMPARED WITH SOMETHING compared with another person or thing:
27. CARRYING SOMETHING informal if you have something on you, you have it in your pocket, your bag etc:
28. PAY be on somebody spoken used to say who is going to pay for something:
29. TELEPHONE NUMBER used to say what number you should use in order to telephone someone
SYN at American English:
30. CAUSING SOMEBODY PROBLEMS used when something bad happens to you, for example when something you are using suddenly stops working, or someone you have a relationship with suddenly leaves you:
| THESAURUS |
▪
▪
▪
▪
| II |
adjective, adverb [not before noun]1. CONTINUING used to say that someone continues to do something or something continues to happen, without stopping:
2. FURTHER if you move, walk etc on, you move forward or further towards something:
3. LATER later than or after a particular time:
4. WEARING SOMETHING if you have something on, you are wearing it:
5. ATTACHED used to say that something is attached to something else, especially when it is in the correct position
OPP off:
6. WRITTEN used to say that something is written somewhere:
7. TRANSPORT in or into a bus, train etc
OPP off:
8. LIGHT/MACHINE if a machine, light etc is on, it is operating
OPP off:
9. BEING BROADCAST if a radio or television programme etc is on, it is being broadcast:
10. EVENTS if an event is on, it has been arranged and is happening or will happen
OPP off:
11. PERFORMING/SPEAKING performing or speaking in public:
12. WORKING if you are on at a particular time, you are doing your job at that time:
13. have something on informal if you have something on, there is something that you must do:
14. on and off (also off and on) for short periods but not regularly over a long period of time:
15. be/go/keep on at somebody informal to keep complaining to someone or asking someone to do something, especially when this annoys them:
16. be/go/keep on about something British English informal to keep talking about something, in a way that is boring or annoying:
17. be not on British English spoken if something is not on, it is not acceptable or reasonable:
18. be on for something spoken to be ready or willing to do something that someone has suggested:
19. you’re on spoken used to tell someone that you accept a bet or an invitation to compete against them:
⇨ onto
