View synonyms for

onto

[ on-too, awn-; unstressed on-tuh, awn- ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

preposition

to a place or position on; upon; on:
to get onto a horse.
Informal. in or into a state of awareness about:
I'm onto your scheme.

adjective

Also . Mathematics. pertaining to a function or map from one set to another set, the range of which is the entire second set.

onto-

a combining form meaning “being,” used in the formation of compound words:
ontogeny.

onto-

combining_form

existence or being
ontology
ontogeny

onto

/ ˈɒntə; ˈɒntʊ /

preposition

to a position that is on
step onto the train as it passes
having become aware of (something illicit or secret)
the police are onto us
into contact with
get onto the factory

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Usage

Onto is now generally accepted as a word in its own right. On to is still used, however, where on is considered to be part of the verb: he moved on to a different town as contrasted with he jumped onto the stage

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Word History and Origins

Origin of onto¹

First recorded in 1575–85; on + to

Origin of onto²

< New Latin < Greek ont- (stem of ó��, neuter present participle of ��î�Բ�� to be) + -o- -o-

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Word History and Origins

Origin of onto¹

from Late Greek, from ō�� (stem ont- ) being, present participle of einai to be

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Compare Meanings

How does onto compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

After he checked out for the first time, he put on his warmup jacket and pulled the hood onto his head.

From

Pham then motioned for the heckler to come onto the field, where presumably he would address the spat once and for all, man to man.

From

Spread onto grilled bread, mix into chicken salad or use in a sandwich.

From

Spread onto flatbreads or tuck into savory pastries.

From

Dollop onto soups or use in lasagna layers.

From

on tiptoe on to

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