| / English Dictionary |
COME ON
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (verb)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Develop in a positive way
Example:
Plans are shaping up
Synonyms:
advance; come along; come on; get along; get on; progress; shape up
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Hypernyms (to "come on" is one way to...):
develop (grow, progress, unfold, or evolve through a process of evolution, natural growth, differentiation, or a conducive environment)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "come on"):
climb (improve one's social status)
leapfrog (progress by large jumps instead of small increments)
Sentence frames:
Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Sense 2
Meaning:
Occur or become available
Example:
water or electricity came on again after the earthquake
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Hypernyms (to "come on" is one way to...):
begin; commence; get; get down; set about; set out; start; start out (take the first step or steps in carrying out an action)
Sentence frame:
Something ----s
Sense 3
Meaning:
Appear or become visible; make a showing
Example:
I hope the list key is going to surface again
Synonyms:
come on; come out; show up; surface; turn up
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Hypernyms (to "come on" is one way to...):
appear (come into sight or view)
Sentence frames:
Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Something is ----ing PP
Somebody ----s PP
Sense 4
Meaning:
Start running, functioning, or operating
Example:
the computer came up
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Hypernyms (to "come on" is one way to...):
get going; go; start (begin or set in motion)
Sentence frame:
Something ----s
Sense 5
Meaning:
Move towards
Example:
The enemy army came nearer and nearer
Synonyms:
approach; come near; come on; draw close; draw near; go up; near
Classified under:
Verbs of walking, flying, swimming
Hypernyms (to "come on" is one way to...):
come; come up (move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody)
"Come on" entails doing...:
advance; go on; march on; move on; pass on; progress (move forward, also in the metaphorical sense)
Verb group:
approach; come near (come near in time)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "come on"):
drive up (approach while driving)
bear down on; bear down upon (sail towards another vessel, of a ship)
edge in; edge up (push one's way into (a space))
close (draw near)
crowd; push (approach a certain age or speed)
Sentence frames:
Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something
Context examples:
“Before I come on board your vessel,” said he, “will you have the kindness to inform me whither you are bound?”
(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)
I am come on to give you notice, that papa and mamma are out of spirits this evening, especially mamma; she is thinking so much of poor Richard!
(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)
When I got there, I was forced to sit to rest me under the hedge; and while I sat, I heard wheels, and saw a coach come on.
(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)
Finally he waved us to come on, holding up his hand as a signal for caution.
(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
Let me see; Monday will be a busy day with you, we will not come on Monday; and Tuesday will be a busy one with me.
(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)
Perhaps you think I am come on purpose to quarrel with you, knowing Weston to be out, and that you must still fight your own battle.
(Emma, by Jane Austen)
The body could only have come on the line in that way.
(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
“Cap'n Silver, sir, to come on board and make terms,” he shouted.
(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)
Give us a light and come on.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
I shall come on purpose to encourage a young beginner.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
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