adj · adv · verb · 12 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
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
ŏn'līn"
Received-Pronunciation:/ˈɒnlaɪn/
British, Southern, Standard:/ˈɔnlɑjn/
/ˈɑnlaɪn/Northern US or with the cot–caught merger
California:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
/ˈɔnlaɪn/Midland US, Southern US, without the cot–caught merger
Canada:[ˈɒnlaɪn]
Australian:/ˈɔnlɑen/
New-Zealand:/ˈɒnlaɪn/
New-Zealand:[ˈɔ̟nlɑe̯n]
Scotland:/ˈɔnlʌɪn/
ŏnlīn'
Received-Pronunciation:/ɒnˈlaɪn/
British, Southern, Standard:/ɔnˈlɑjn/
/ɑnˈlaɪn/Northern US or with the cot–caught merger
/ɔnˈlaɪn/Midland US, Southern US, without the cot–caught merger
Canada:[ɒnˈlaɪn]
Australian:/ɔnˈlɑen/
New-Zealand:/ɒnˈlaɪn/
New-Zealand:[ɔ̟nˈlɑe̯n]
Scotland:/ɔnˈlʌɪn/
rhymes with -aɪn
CMU ARPABET:AO1 N L AY2 N
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adj
Meaning 1
Of a system: connected (generally electrically) to a larger network.
Of a generator or power plant: connected to the grid.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
adj
Meaning 2
Of a system: connected (generally electrically) to a larger network.
Of a computer: actively connected to the Internet or to some other communications service.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
Is this modem online?
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
adj
Meaning 3
Available over, or delivered from, the Internet.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
I prefer to read online newspapers.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
adj
Meaning 4
Connected to the Internet.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
I'll be online tonight, so I'll be able to reply to your email.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
adj
Meaning 5
Available on a computer system, even if not networked.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
Press the F1 key to access the online help.
The program comes with an online manual, supplied on compact disc.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
adj
Meaning 6
Of a system: active, particularly building facilities (such as power) or a factory or power plant.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
The power is online.
Once this factory comes online, it will double car production in our country!
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
7
adj
Meaning 7
Immersed in Internet culture. (Usually modified by an intensifier such as extremely or terminally)
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: slang
Examples
terminally online
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
8
adv
Meaning 8
While online; while in a running or active state, or connected to the Internet.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable
Examples
He works online.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
9
verb
Meaning 9
To bring (a system, etc.) online; to promote to an active or running state.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract