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English dictionary

online Meaning & Definition

/ˈɒnlaɪn/

What Does Online Mean?

Online is used as an adjective meaning Of a system: connected (generally electrically) to a larger network. Of a generator or power plant: connected to the grid. Of a computer: actively connected to the Internet or to some other communications service. It can also mean Of a generator or power plant: connected to the grid. As an adverb, it means While online; while in a running or active state, or connected to the Internet. As a verb, it means To bring (a system, etc.) online; to promote to an active or running state.

Online at a Glance

Part of speechadjective, adverb, verb
Pronunciation/ˈɒnlaɪn/
Antonymsoffline, hardcopy and brick and mortar
Comparative / superlativemore online, most online
Verb formsonlines, onlining, onlined

Online Definition (Adjective)

  1. Of a system: connected (generally electrically) to a larger network. Of a generator or power plant: connected to the grid. Of a computer: actively connected to the Internet or to some other communications service.

    Is this modem online?

  2. Of a generator or power plant: connected to the grid.
  3. Of a computer: actively connected to the Internet or to some other communications service.

    Is this modem online?

  4. Available over, or delivered from, the Internet.

    I prefer to read online newspapers.

  5. Connected to the Internet.

    I'll be online tonight, so I'll be able to reply to your email.

  6. Available on a computer system, even if not networked.

    Press the F1 key to access the online help.

  7. Of a system: active, particularly building facilities (such as power) or a factory or power plant.

    The power is online.

  8. Immersed in Internet culture. (Usually modified by an intensifier such as extremely or terminally)

    terminally online

  9. Able to process an input piece-by-piece without needing to have the entire input available to it from the start.

Online as an Adverb

  1. While online; while in a running or active state, or connected to the Internet.

    He works online.

Online as a Verb

  1. To bring (a system, etc.) online; to promote to an active or running state.

Adjective

  1. Of a system: connected (generally electrically) to a larger network.

Synonyms of Online

The source does not list synonyms for this entry.

Online synonyms and antonyms →

Antonyms of Online

Online in a Sentence

Is this modem online?

I prefer to read online newspapers.

I'll be online tonight, so I'll be able to reply to your email.

Press the F1 key to access the online help.

The program comes with an online manual, supplied on compact disc.

The power is online.

Once this factory comes online, it will double car production in our country!

terminally online

He works online.

Word Forms & Grammar

online (comparative more online, superlative most online)

online (not comparable)

online (third-person singular simple present onlines, present participle onlining, simple past and past participle onlined)

Words That Rhyme With Online

Origin of Online

From on + line. First attested in 1950.

Questions People Ask About Online

Is online an adjective or an adverb?

Online is mainly used as an adjective, but it can also be used as an adverb and a verb.

What is the opposite of online?

The opposite of online can be expressed with words like offline, hardcopy, brick and mortar and living under a rock.

What is the past tense of online?

The past tense of online is onlined. The present participle is onlining.

What are the comparative and superlative forms of online?

The comparative form is more online and the superlative form is most online.

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