on time Definition

on
prep

1. Touching, supported by, attached to, covering, or enclosing.

Example: a chair on the floor
Example: a dog on a lead
Thesaurus: upon, atop, against, near, above, next to, about, at; in contact with, touching, held by, supported by.
2. In or into (a vehicle, etc).

Example: got on the bus
3. colloq
Carried with (a person).
Example: I've got no money on me
4. Very near to or along the side of something.

Example: a house on the shore
5. At or during (a certain day or time, etc).

Example: on Monday
Example: on the hour
6. Immediately after, at or before.

Example: He found the letter on his return
7. Within the (given) limits of something.

Example: a picture on page nine
8. About.

Example: a book on Jane Austen
9. Towards.

Example: marched on the town
10. Through contact with or as a result of something.

Example: cut oneself on the broken bottle
11. In the state or process of something.

Example: on fire
Example: on a journey
12. Using as a means of transport.

Example: goes to work on the bus
13. Using as a means or medium.

Example: talk on the telephone
Example: a tune on the piano
14. On the occasion of something.

Example: shoot on sight
15. Having as a basis or source.

Example: on good authority
Example: arrested on suspicion
16. Working for or being a member of something.

Example: on the committee
Example: work on the case
17. At the expense of or to the disadvantage of something or someone.

Example: treatment on the National Health
Example: drinks on me
Example: the joke's on him
18. Supported by something.

Example: live on bread and cheese
19. Regularly taking or using something.

Example: on tranquillizers
20. In a specified manner.

Example: on the cheap
21. Staked as a bet.

Example: put money on a horse
22. Following.

Example: disappointment on disappointment

adverb

1. Said especially of clothes: in or into contact or a state of enclosing, covering, or being worn, etc.

Example: have no clothes on
2. Ahead, forwards or towards in space or time.

Example: go on home
Example: later on
3. Continuously; without interruption.

Example: keep on about something
4. In or into operation or activity.

Example: put the radio on

adj

1. Working, broadcasting or performing.

Example: You're on in two minutes
2. Taking place

Example: Which films are on this week?
3. colloq
Possible, practicable or acceptable.
Example: That just isn't on
4. colloq
Talking continuously, especially to complain or nag.
Example: always on at him to try harder
5. In favour of a win.

Example: odds of 3 to 4 on
6. cricket.
On the side of the field towards which the bat is facing, usually the batsman's left and the bowler's right. Opposite of off 6.

Idiom: be on to someone or something

To realize their importance or intentions.

To be in touch with them.
Example: We'll be on to you about the party on Saturday

Idiom: get on to someone

colloq
To get in touch with them.

Idiom: just on

Almost exactly.
Example: have collected just on £50

Idiom: on and off

Now and then; occasionally.
Thesaurus: sometimes, infrequently, now and then, from time to time, periodically.

Idiom: on and on

Continually; at length.

Idiom: on time

Promptly; at the right time.

Idiom: on to

To a position on or in.
Thesaurus: to, toward, adjacent to, against, upon, above, over.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon.

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time
noun

1. The continuous passing and succession of minutes, days and years, etc.

Thesaurus: duration, continuance, lastingness, extent.
2. A particular point in time expressed in hours and minutes, or days, months and years, and as can be read from a clock or watch, or told by a calendar.
3. Any system for reckoning or expressing time.

Example: Eastern European Time
4. A point or period which is marked by some event or some particular characteristic.

Example: at the time of her marriage
Example: Edwardian times
Thesaurus: occasion, moment,age, era, period, epoch.
Form: times (also)
5. The period required or available for, suitable for or spent doing a specified activity.

Example: playtime
Thesaurus: leisure, spare time, freedom, opportunity, free moment, ease, liberty, chance.
6. An unspecified interval or period.

Example: stayed there for a time
7. One of a number or series of occasions or repeated actions.

Example: been to Spain three times
8. Expressing multiplication.

Example: Three times two is six
Form: times
9. A period or occasion, especially a personal one, characterized by some quality or experience.

Example: a good time
Example: hard times
10. A particular period being considered, especially the present.
11. colloq
A prison sentence.
Example: do time
12. An apprenticeship.
13. The point at which something ends, eg a match or game.
(Brit)
14. The time when a public house must close.
15. The moment at which childbirth or death is expected.
16. The hours and days that one spends at work.
17. A rate of pay for work.

Example: Saturdays pay double time
18. music.
A specified rhythm or speed.
Example: waltz time
19. music.
The speed at which a piece of music is to be played.

verb timed, timing

1. To measure the time taken by (an event or journey, etc).
2. To arrange, set or choose the time for something.
tr & intr
3. To keep or beat time, or make something keep or beat time.

Idiom: against time

With as much speed as possible because of the need or wish to finish by a certain time.

Idiom: ahead of time

Earlier than expected or necessary.
Thesaurus: fast, ahead of schedule, fast, early.

Idiom: all in good time

In due course; soon enough.

Idiom: all the time

Continually.

Idiom: at times

Occasionally; sometimes.

Idiom: behind time

Late.

Idiom: behind the times

Out of date; old-fashioned.

Idiom: for the time being

Meanwhile; for the moment.
Thesaurus: temporarily, for the present, provisionally.

Idiom: from time to time

Occasionally; sometimes.
Thesaurus: occasionally, sometimes, at times, once in a while.

Idiom: have no time for someone or something

To have no interest in or patience with them or it; to despise them or it.

Idiom: have the time of one's life

To enjoy oneself very much.

Idiom: in good time

Early.

Idiom: in no time

Very quickly.

Idiom: in one's own time

In one's spare time when not at work.

At the speed one prefers.

Idiom: in time

Early enough.

Idiom: in time with someone or something

At the same speed or rhythm as them or it.

Idiom: keep time

To correctly follow the required rhythm of a piece of music.

Said of a watch or clock: to function at an accurate speed.

Idiom: kill time

To pass time aimlessly while waiting on events.

Idiom: make good time

To travel as quickly as, or more quickly than, one had expected or hoped.

Idiom: no time at all

colloq
A very short time.

Idiom: on time

At the right time; not late.

Idiom: pass the time of day

To exchange greetings and have a brief casual conversation.

Idiom: take one's time

Not to hurry; to work as slowly as one wishes.

Idiom: time and time again

Again and again; repeatedly.
Thesaurus: over and over again, time after time, frequently, repeatedly, recurrently, often.

Idiom: time out of mind

For longer than anyone can remember.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon tima.