Meanings
present singular third person is on · participle present being on · past was on · participle past been on
- UKliterallytransitiveTo be ranked at (something), based on polling.
The Tories are on twenty-five percent in that constituency.
- intransitiveliterallyTo be performative or funny in a wearying manner.
You don't have to be on all the time.
- literallytransitiveTo be responsible for (something).
That task is on you.
- transitiveAfrican-American VernacularTo be up to; to be engaged in or scheduled to do imminently.
What are you on today?
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.
Translations
Spanish ser responsabilidad de
- ser responsabilidad deto be responsible for
Cite this entry
be on. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/be%20on
“be on.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/be%20on. Accessed November 3, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “be on,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/be%20on.
Source: be on on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.