Standard Lemma guide

carry-on

adj · noun · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Taken onto an airplane (or a ferry, etc.) with a passenger, rather than checked.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

Examples

  • It's a compact suitcase, but it makes a good carry-on bag.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: hand, personal, cabin, flight

Antonyms: checked

2

noun

Meaning 2

That luggage or baggage which is taken onto an airplane (or a ferry, etc.) with a passenger, rather than checked.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Examples

  • Do you think they'll accept my ski poles as carry-on?

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: hand luggage, handcarry

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

That luggage or baggage which is taken onto an airplane (or a ferry, etc.) with a passenger, rather than checked.

A bag, suitcase, etc., used to carry this luggage or baggage.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: hand luggage, handcarry

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

A palaver; a disorderly or absurd situation.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: New-Zealand, UK, countable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: riddle me ree, rigmarole, carry-on, circus act, palaver, song and dance

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Deverbal from carry on.

Across languages

Translations

15 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Hungarian: kézi- — taken onto an airplane with a passenger
  • Hungarian: repülőre felvihető — taken onto an airplane with a passenger
  • Portuguese: bagagem de mão — taken onto an airplane with a passenger
  • Spanish: de mano — taken onto an airplane with a passenger
  • Dutch: handbagage — the luggage which is taken onto an airplane with a passenger
  • French: bagages en cabine — the luggage which is taken onto an airplane with a passenger
  • French: bagages à main — the luggage which is taken onto an airplane with a passenger
  • German: Handgepäck — the luggage which is taken onto an airplane with a passenger
  • Hungarian: kézipoggyász — the luggage which is taken onto an airplane with a passenger
  • Polish: bagaż podręczny — the luggage which is taken onto an airplane with a passenger
  • Portuguese: bagagem de mão — the luggage which is taken onto an airplane with a passenger
  • Russian: ручная кладь (ručnaja kladʹ) — the luggage which is taken onto an airplane with a passenger
  • Spanish: equipaje de mano — the luggage which is taken onto an airplane with a passenger
  • Spanish: velís — a bag, suitcase, etc., used to carry this luggage or baggage
  • Spanish: veliz — a bag, suitcase, etc., used to carry this luggage or baggage