on 1

→

Singlish:

switched on

expand for details Detailed etymology

definitions

adjective

  1. enthusiastic; attentive; motivated; highly interested; mentally engaged; on the ball

    2. Why is she being so on? This project never even count for our grade what.


related:

siao on extra1

on 2

→

English:

switch on

+

turn on

expand for details Detailed etymology

definitions

verb

  1. to switch or turn on, especially of an electrical device

    2. Wah piang eh, damn hot leh. Can on the aircon?

    synonyms:

    open

    antonyms:

    off1

usage notes

This usage of 'on' (and correspondingly, off) is actually common or standard in several English varieties across the world, including major ones such as Indian, Nigerian, and Filipino English — together representing over 20% of the world's total English-speaking population. Thus, this should not be considered incorrect or improper in English, but simply a standard regional variant.


related:

switch on onz

on 3

→

English:

on

expand for details Detailed etymology

definitions

interjection

  1. 'OK!'; 'it's a deal'; 'you're on'; used to accept a suggestion, proposal, challenge, etc.

    2. - Tomorrow we going JB to eat durian. Ai mai? Open jio.
    - On! Let's go.

    synonyms:

    onz

usage notes

Unlike in English, where on is an adjective (e.g. 'It's on!' or 'Alright, you're on!'), it is used as a standalone interjection in Singlish.


related:

onz

entries starting with

'on'