Off vs. On — What's the Difference?

By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 17, 2024

"Off" implies a state of inactivity or disconnection, while "On" suggests active engagement or connection.

Difference Between Off and On

Key Differences

"Off" is commonly used to indicate that something is deactivated or not functioning, whereas "On" means that something is functioning or activated.

In terms of electronics, when a device is "off", it is not using power, while if it is "on", it is drawing power and is operational.

Regarding switches and controls, "off" is the position where the system or device stops working, on the other hand, "on" ensures that the system or device starts or continues to operate.

In the context of availability, "off" can suggest that something is unavailable or closed, whereas "on" typically indicates availability or openness.

With respect to scheduling, "off" often refers to periods when one is not working or an event is not occurring, while "on" implies that work or events are proceeding as planned.

Comparison Chart

State

Inactive, not operating

Active, operating

Power Usage

No power usage

Power usage

Switch Position

Position stopping work

Position starting work

Availability

Unavailable or closed

Available or open

Scheduling

Not working or occurring

Working or occurring

Compare with Definitions

Off

Disconnected from a power source.

Make sure the stove is off.

On

Functioning or being in operation.

Leave the lights on.

Off

Inactive or not in operation.

The lights are off.

On

Indicating continuation or progress.

The show must go on.

Off

Removed or separated from.

The lid pops off easily.

On

Physically in contact with and supported by a surface.

The book is on the table.

Off

Away from a place.

He is off to the market.

On

Engaged in an activity.

He is on a call right now.

Off

Not engaged in regular work or activity.

She is off duty tonight.

On

Scheduled or planned.

The meeting is on for tomorrow.

Off

Away from the place in question; to or at a distance

The man ran off

She dashed off to her room

We must be off now

On

Used to indicate position above and supported by or in contact with

The vase is on the table. We rested on our hands and knees.

Off

So as to be removed or separated

A section of the runway had been cordoned off

He whipped off his coat

On

Used to indicate contact with or extent over (a surface) regardless of position

A picture on the wall.

A rash on my back.

Off

Starting a journey or race; leaving

They're off!

The gunmen made off on foot

We're off on holiday tomorrow

On

Used to indicate location at or along

The pasture on the south side of the river.

A house on the highway.

Off

So as to bring to an end or be discontinued

She broke off her reading to look at her husband

The Christmas party rounded off a hugely successful year

On

Used to indicate proximity

A town on the border.

Off

(of an electrical appliance or power supply) not functioning or so as to cease to function

The electricity was off for four days

Switch the TV off

On

Used to indicate attachment to or suspension from

Beads on a string.

Off

Having access to or possession of material goods or wealth to the extent specified

How are you off for money?

We'd been rather badly off for books

On

Used to indicate figurative or abstract position

On the young side, but experienced.

On her third beer.

Stopped on chapter two.

Off

(with preceding numeral) denoting a quantity produced at one time.

On

Used to indicate actual motion toward, against, or onto

Jumped on the table.

The march on Washington.

Off

Moving away and often down from

The coat slipped off his arms

He rolled off the bed

Trying to get us off the stage

On

Used to indicate figurative or abstract motion toward, against, or onto

Going on six o'clock.

Came on the answer by accident.

Off

Situated or leading in a direction away from (a main route or intersection)

In a little street off Whitehall

Single wires leading off the main lines

On

Used to indicate occurrence at a given time

On July third.

Every hour on the hour.

Off

So as to be removed or separated from

They knocked $2,000 off the price

It's a huge burden off my shoulders

Threatening to tear the door off its hinges

On

Used to indicate the particular occasion or circumstance

On entering the room, she saw him.

Off

Having a temporary dislike of

He's running a temperature and he's off his food

On

Used to indicate the object affected by actual, perceptible action

The spotlight fell on the actress. He knocked on the door.

Off

Characterized by performing or feeling worse than usual; unsatisfactory or inadequate

Even the greatest athletes have off days

On

Used to indicate the object affected by a figurative action

Have pity on them.

Off

(of food) no longer fresh

The fish was a bit off

On

Used to indicate the object of an action directed, tending, or moving against it

An attack on the fortress.

Off

Located on the side of a vehicle that is normally furthest from the kerb; offside.

On

Used to indicate the object of perception or thought

Gazed on the vista.

Meditated on his actions.

Off

Annoying or unfair

His boss deducted the money from his pay. That was a bit off

On

Used to indicate the agent or agency of a specified action

Cut his foot on the broken glass.

Talked on the telephone.

Off

Unfriendly or hostile

There's no one there except the barmaid, and she's a bit off

On

Used to indicate a medicine or other corrective taken or undertaken routinely

Went on a strict diet.

Off

The half of the field (as divided lengthways through the pitch) towards which the batsman's feet are pointed when standing to receive the ball.

On

Used to indicate a substance that is the cause of an addiction, a habit, or an altered state of consciousness

High on dope.

Off

The start of a race, journey, or experience

Now Ian is ready for the off

On

Used to indicate a source or basis

"We will reach our judgments not on intentions or on promises but on deeds and on results" (Margaret Thatcher).

Off

Leave

Supposedly loyal workers suddenly upped and offed to the new firms

On

Used to indicate a source of power or energy

The car runs on methane.

Off

Kill; murder

I finally snapped and offed the guy

On

Used to indicate the state or process of

On leave.

On fire.

On the way.

Off

From a place or position

He walked off in a huff.

On

Used to indicate the purpose of

Travel on business.

Off

At a certain distance in space or time

A mile off.

A week off.

On

Used to indicate a means of conveyance

Ride on a train.

Off

From a given course or route; aside

The car swerved off into a ditch.

On

Used to indicate availability by means of

Beer on tap.

A physician on call.

Off

Into a state of unconsciousness

I must have dozed off.

On

Used to indicate belonging to

A nurse on the hospital staff.

Off

So as to be no longer on, attached, or connected

He shaved off his mustache.

On

Used to indicate addition or repetition

Heaped error on error.

Off

So as to be divided

We marked off the playing field by yards.

On

Concerning; about

A book on astronomy.

Off

So as to be no longer continuing, operating, or functioning

She switched off the radio.

On

Concerning and to the disadvantage of

We have some evidence on him.

Off

So as to be completely removed, finished, or eliminated

Will the cats kill off the mice?.

On

(Informal) In one's possession; with

I haven't a cent on me.

Off

So as to be in a state of sudden violent or loud activity

The firecracker went off. The alarm went off.

On

At the expense of; compliments of

Drinks on the house.

Off

So as to be smaller, fewer, or less

Sales dropped off.

On

In or into a position or condition of being supported by or in contact with something

Put the coffee on.

Off

So as to be away from or not engaged in work or duty

They took a day off.

On

In or into a position of being attached to or covering something

Put your clothes on.

Off

Offstage.

On

In the direction of something

He looked on while the ship docked.

Off

Distant or removed; farther

The off side of the barn.

On

Toward or at a point lying ahead in space or time; forward

The play moved on to the next city.

Off

Remote; slim

Stopped by on the off chance that they're home.

On

At or to a more distant point in time or space

I'll do it later on.

Off

Not on, attached, or connected

With my shoes off.

On

Toward or to a different state or condition

Let's move on to another subject.

Off

Not operating or operational

The oven is off.

On

In a continuous course

He worked on quietly.

Off

No longer taking place; canceled

The wedding is off.

On

In or into performance or operation

Turn on the radio.

Off

Slack

Production was off this year.

On

In progress or action; in a state of activity

The show must go on.

Off

Not up to standard; below a normal or satisfactory level

Your pitching is off today.

On

In or at the present position or condition

Stay on.

Hang on.

Off

Not accurate; incorrect

Your statistical results are off.

On

In a condition of being scheduled for or decided upon

There is a party on tonight.

Off

Somewhat crazy; eccentric

I think that person is a little off.

On

Being in operation

The television is on.

Off

Started on the way; going

I'm off to see the president.

On

Engaged in a given function or activity, such as a vocal or dramatic role

You're on in five minutes!.

Off

Absent, away from, or not engaged in work or duty

She's off every Tuesday.

On

Under or behaving as if under observation

A minister is always on.

Off

Spent away from work or duty

My off day is Saturday.

On

(Informal) Functioning or performing at a high degree of competence or energy

The goalie is really on.

Off

Being on the right side of an animal or vehicle.

On

Planned; intended

We have nothing much on for this weekend.

Off

Being the animal or vehicle on the right.

On

Happening; taking place

The parade is on.

Off

(Nautical) Farthest from the shore; seaward.

On

(Baseball) Having reached base safely; on base

Two runners are on.

Off

(Sports) Toward or designating the side of the field facing the batsman in cricket.

On

In the state of being active, functioning or operating.

All the lights are on, so they must be home.

Off

Off-color.

On

Performing according to schedule; taking place.

Are we still on for tonight?

Is the show still on?

We had to ration our food because there was a war on.

That TV programme that you wanted to watch is on now.

Off

So as to be removed or distant from

The bird hopped off the branch.

On

Fitted; covering; being worn.

Your feet will soon warm up once your socks are on.

I was trying to drink out of the bottle while the top was still on!

Off

Away or relieved from

Off duty.

On

(postpositive) Of a stated part of something, oriented towards the viewer or other specified direction.

The photograph shows the UFO side on.

Edge on, side on, end on, face on

Off

By consuming

Living off locusts and honey.

On

Acceptable, appropriate.

You can't do that; it's just not on.

Off

With the means provided by

Living off my pension.

On

(informal) Destined, normally in the context of a challenge being accepted; involved, doomed.

"Five bucks says the Cavs win tonight." ―"You're on!"

Mike just threw coffee onto Paul's lap. It's on now.

Off

(Informal) From

"What else do you want off me?" (Jimmy Breslin).

On

Having reached a base as a runner and being positioned there, awaiting further action from a subsequent batter.

Off

Extending or branching out from

An artery off the heart.

On

(cricket) Within the half of the field on the same side as the batsman's legs; the left side for a right-handed batsman.

The captain moved two fielders to the on side.

Ponsonby-Smythe hit a thumping on drive.

Off

Not up to the usual standard of

Off his game.

On

Acting in character.

Off

So as to abstain from

Went off narcotics.

On

(euphemistic) Menstruating.

Off

(Nautical) To seaward of

A mile off Sandy Hook.

On

To an operating state.

Turn the television on

Off

To go away; leave

Off or I'll call the police.

On

So as to cover or be fitted.

The lid wasn't screwed on properly.

Put on your hat and gloves.

Off

To murder.

On

Along, forwards (continuing an action).

Drive on, rock on

Off

In a direction away from the speaker or other reference point.

He drove off in a cloud of smoke.

On

In continuation, at length.

And so on

He rambled on and on.

Off

Into a state of non-operation or non-existence.

Please switch off the light when you leave.

Die off

On

(obsolete in the US) Later.

Ten years on, nothing had changed in the village.

Off

So as to remove or separate, or be removed or separated.

He bit off the end of the carrot.

Some branches were sawn off.

On

Of betting odds, denoting a better-than-even chance. See also odds-on.

That horse is twenty-to-one on, so you need to stake twenty pounds just to win one pound.

Off

(theatre) Offstage.

Noises off

On

Positioned at the upper surface of, touching from above.

A vase of flowers stood on the table.

Please lie down on the couch.

The parrot was sitting on Jim's shoulder.

Off

Used in various other ways specific to individual idiomatic phrases, e.g. bring off, show off, put off, tell off, etc. See the entry for the individual phrase.

On

Positioned at or resting against the outer surface of; attached to.

He had a scar on the side of his face.

There is a dirty smudge on this window.

The painting hangs on the wall.

The fruit ripened on the trees.

Off

Inoperative, disabled.

All the lights are off.

On

Expressing figurative placement or attachment.

All of the responsibility is on him.

I put a bet on the winning horse.

Off

Cancelled; not happening.

The party's off because the hostess is sick.

On

Denoting performance or action by contact with the surface, upper part, or outside of anything; hence, by means of; with.

To play on a violin or piano

Off

Not fitted; not being worn.

Your feet will feel better once those tight boots are off.

The drink spilled out of the bottle because the top was off.

On

At or in (a certain region or location).

The lighthouse that you can see is on the mainland.

The suspect is thought to still be on the campus.

Off

Rancid, rotten, gone bad.

This milk is off!

On

Near; adjacent to; alongside.

The fleet is on the American coast.

Croton-on-Hudson, Rostov-on-Don, Southend-on-Sea

Off

Disgusting, repulsive, abhorrent.

On

Supported by (the specified part of itself).

A table can't stand on two legs.

After resting on his elbows, he stood on his toes, then walked on his heels.

Off

Less than normal, in temperament or in result.

Sales are off this quarter

On

So as to impart force to.

Tug on the rope; push hard on the door

Off

Inappropriate; untoward.

I felt that his comments were a bit off.

On

So as to impact; against.

I stubbed my toe on an old tree stump.

Off

(in phrases such as 'well off', 'poorly off', etc., and in 'how?' questions) Circumstanced.

Our family used to be well off; now we're very badly off.

How are you off for milk? Shall I get you some more from the shop?

On

Covering.

He wore old shoes on his feet.

Off

Started on the way.

Off to see the wizard

And they're off! Whatsmyname takes an early lead, with Remember The Mane behind by a nose.

On

(with certain modes of transport, especially public transport) Inside (a vehicle) for the purpose of travelling.

On a bus, on a train, on a plane

Off

Far; off to the side.

He took me down the corridor and into an off room.

The off horse or ox in a team, in distinction from the nigh or near horse

On

At the date of.

Born on the 4th of July.

Off

Designating a time when one is not strictly attentive to business or affairs, or is absent from a post, and, hence, a time when affairs are not urgent.

He took an off day for fishing.

An off year in politics;

The off season

On

Some time during the day of.

On Sunday I'm busy. I'll see you on Monday.

Can I see you on a different day?

Off

(in phrases such as 'off day') Designating a time when one is not performing to the best of one's abilities.

On

At a given time after the start of something; at.

Smith scored again on twelve minutes, doubling Mudchester Rovers' lead.

Off

Presently unavailable.

— I'll have the chicken please.

— Sorry, chicken's off today.

On

Dealing with the subject of; about; concerning.

I was reading a book on history.

The city hosted the World Summit on the Information Society

I have no opinion on this subject.

Off

On the side furthest from the kerb (the right-hand side if one drives on the left).

The off front wheel came loose.

On

(informal) In the possession of.

I haven't got any money on me.

Off

(cricket) In, or towards the half of the field away from the batsman's legs; the right side for a right-handed batsman.

On

Because of, or due to.

To arrest someone on suspicion of bribery

To contact someone on a hunch

Off

Not positioned upon, or away from a position upon.

He's off the roof now.

I took it off the table.

Keep off the grass.

On

Upon; at the time of (and often because of).

On Jack's entry, William got up to leave.

On the addition of ammonia, a chemical reaction begins.

Off

Detached, separated, excluded or disconnected from; away from a position of attachment or connection to.

The phone is off the hook

The coat fell off the peg.

He was thrown off the team for cheating.

We've been off the grid for three days now.

We're off their radar.

He's off the computer, but he's still on the phone.

On

Paid for by.

The drinks are on me tonight, boys.

The meal is on the house.

I paid for the airfare and meals for my family, but the hotel room was on the company.

Off

Used to indicate the location or direction of one thing relative to another, implying adjacency or accessibility via.

His office is off this corridor on the right.

We're just off the main road.

Look! There's a UFO off our left wing!

On

Indicating a means or medium.

I saw it on television.

Can't you see I'm on the phone?

My favorite shows are on BBC America.

The Beatles' appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show is on YouTube.

The film was released on DVD.

Off

Used to express location at sea relative to land or mainland.

The island is 23 miles off the cape.

On

Indicating the target of, or thing affected by, an event or action.

They planned an attack on London.

The soldiers mutinied and turned their guns on their officers.

Her words made a lasting impression on my mind.

What will be the effect on morale?

Off

Removed or subtracted from.

There's 20% off the list price.

On

Toward; for; indicating the object of an emotion.

Have pity or compassion on him.

Off

No longer wanting or taking.

He's been off his feed since Tuesday.

He's off his meds again.

On

Indicating the person experiencing an emotion, cold, thirst, hunger, etc.

Off

Out of the possession of.

He didn't buy it off him. He stole it off him.

On

Indicating a means of subsistence.

They lived on ten dollars a week.

The dog survived three weeks on rainwater.

Off

Placed after a number (of products or parts, as if a unit), in commerce or engineeringEngineering.

Tantalum bar 6 off 3/8" Dia × 12" — Atom, Great Britain Atomic Energy Authority, 1972

Samples submitted … 12 off Thermistors type 1K3A531 … — BSI test report for shock and vibration testing, 2000

I'd like to re-order those printer cartridges, let's say 5-off.

On

Engaged in or occupied with (an action or activity).

He's on his lunch break.

I'm on nights all this week.

On vacation; on holiday; on the job; on the fiddle

Off

To kill.

On

Regularly taking (a drug).

You've been on these antidepressants far too long.

He's acting so strangely, I think he must be on something.

Off

To switch off.

Can you off the light?

On

Under the influence of (a drug).

He's acting crazy because he's on crack right now.

Off

(usually in phrases such as 'from the off', 'at the off', etc.) Beginning; starting point.

He has been very obviously an untrustworthy narrator right from the off.

On

(mathematics) Having identical domain and codomain.

A function on

Off

In a general sense, denoting from or away from; as:

On

(mathematics) Having

V^n

as domain and V as codomain, for some set V and integer n.

An operator on

Off

Denoting distance or separation; as, the house is a mile off.

On

(mathematics) Generated by.

The free group on four letters

Off

Denoting the action of removing or separating; separation; as, to take off the hat or cloak; to cut off, to pare off, to clip off, to peel off, to tear off, to march off, to fly off, and the like.

On

In addition to; besides; indicating multiplication or succession in a series.

Heaps on heaps of food

Mischief on mischief; loss on loss

Off

Denoting a leaving, abandonment, departure, abatement, interruption, or remission; as, the fever goes off; the pain goes off; the game is off; all bets are off.

On

Off

Denoting a different direction; not on or towards: away; as, to look off.

On

Indicating dependence or reliance.

I depended on them for assistance.

He will promise on certain conditions.

Off

Denoting opposition or negation.

The questions no way touch upon puritanism, either off or on.

On

(obsolete) At the peril of, or for the safety of.

Off

Away; begone; - a command to depart.

On

Serving as a member of.

He is on the jury; I am on the committee.

Off

Not on; away from; as, to be off one's legs or off the bed; two miles off the shore.

On

By virtue of; with the pledge of.

He affirmed or promised on his word, or on his honour.

Off

On the farther side; most distant; on the side of an animal or a team farthest from the driver when he is on foot; in the United States, the right side; as, the off horse or ox in a team, in distinction from the nigh or near horse or ox; the off leg.

On

To the account or detriment of; denoting imprecation or invocation, or coming to, falling, or resting upon.

On us be all the blame.

A curse on him!

Please don't tell on her and get her in trouble.

He turned on her and has been her enemy ever since.

He went all honest on me, making me listen to his confession.

Off

Designating a time when one is not strictly attentive to business or affairs, or is absent from his post, and, hence, a time when affairs are not urgent; as, he took an off day for fishing: an off year in politics.

On

(especially when numbers of combatants or competitors are specified) Against; in opposition to.

The fight was three on one, and he never stood a chance.

Off

Designating a time when one's performance is below normal; as, he had an off day.

On

Without.

Off

The side of the field that is on the right of the wicket keeper.

On

To switch on.

Can you on the light?

Off

Not in operation or operational;

The oven is off

The lights are off

On

In the Japanese language, a pronunciation, or reading, of a kanji character that was originally based on the character's pronunciation in Chinese, contrasted with kun.

Most kanji have two kinds of reading, called "on" and "kun".

Off

Below a satisfactory level;

An off year for tennis

His performance was off

On

The general signification of on is situation, motion, or condition with respect to contact or support beneath

Off

(of events) no longer planned or scheduled;

The wedding is definitely off

On

At, or in contact with, the surface or upper part of a thing, and supported by it; placed or lying in contact with the surface; as, the book lies on the table, which stands on the floor of a house on an island.

I stood on the bridge at midnight.

Off

In an unpalatable state;

Sour milk

On

To or against the surface of; - used to indicate the motion of a thing as coming or falling to the surface of another; as, rain falls on the earth.

Whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken.

Off

Not performing or scheduled for duties;

He's off every Tuesday

He was off duty when it happened

An off-duty policeman

On

Denoting performance or action by contact with the surface, upper part, or outside of anything; hence, by means of; with; as, to play on a violin or piano. Hence, figuratively, to work on one's feelings; to make an impression on the mind.

Off

From a particular thing or place or position (`forth' is obsolete);

Ran away from the lion

Wanted to get away from there

Sent the children away to boarding school

The teacher waved the children away from the dead animal

Went off to school

They drove off

Go forth and preach

On

At or near; adjacent to; - indicating situation, place, or position; as, on the one hand, on the other hand; the fleet is on the American coast.

Off

At a distance in space or time;

The boat was 5 miles off (or away)

The party is still 2 weeks off (or away)

Away back in the 18th century

On

In addition to; besides; - indicating multiplication or succession in a series; as, heaps on heaps; mischief on mischief; loss on loss; thought on thought.

Off

No longer on or in contact or attached;

Clean off the dirt

He shaved off his mustache

On

Indicating dependence or reliance; with confidence in; as, to depend on a person for assistance; to rely on; hence, indicating the ground or support of anything; as, he will promise on certain conditions; to bet on a horse; based on certain assumptions.

On

At or in the time of; during; as, on Sunday we abstain from labor. See At (synonym).

On

At the time of; - often conveying some notion of cause or motive; as, on public occasions, the officers appear in full dress or uniform; the shop is closed on Sundays.

On

Toward; for; - indicating the object of some passion; as, have pity or compassion on him.

On

At the peril of, or for the safety of.

On

By virtue of; with the pledge of; - denoting a pledge or engagement, and put before the thing pledged; as, he affirmed or promised on his word, or on his honor.

On

To the account of; - denoting imprecation or invocation, or coming to, falling, or resting upon; as, on us be all the blame; a curse on him.

His blood be on us and on our children.

On

In reference or relation to; as, on our part expect punctuality; a satire on society.

On

Of.

Or have we eaten on the insane rootThat takes the reason prisoner?

On

Occupied with; in the performance of; as, only three officers are on duty; on a journey; on the job; on an assignment; on a case; on the alert.

On

In the service of; connected with; a member of; as, he is on a newspaper; on a committee.

On

In reference to; about; concerning; as, to think on it; to meditate on it.

They have added the -en plural form on to an elder plural.

We see the strength of the new movement in the new class of ecclesiastics whom it forced on to the stage.

On

Forward, in progression; onward; - usually with a verb of motion; as, move on; go on; the beat goes on.

The path is smooth that leadeth on to danger.

On

Forward, in succession; as, from father to son, from the son to the grandson, and so on.

On

In continuance; without interruption or ceasing; as, sleep on, take your ease; say on; sing on.

On

Adhering; not off; as in the phrase, "He is neither on nor off," that is, he is not steady, he is irresolute.

On

Attached to the body, as clothing or ornament, or for use.

He put on righteousness as a breastplate.

On

In progress; proceeding; ongoing; as, a game is on.

On

In operation or operational;

Left the oven on

The switch is in the on position

On

(of events) planned or scheduled;

The picnic is on, rain or shine

We have nothing on for Friday night

On

Performing or scheduled for duties;

I'm on from five to midnight

Naval personnel on duty in Alaska

Her on-duty hours were 11p.m. to 7 a.m.

On

With a forward motion;

We drove along admiring the view

The horse trotted along at a steady pace

The circus traveled on to the next city

Move along

March on

On

Indicates continuity or persistence or concentration;

His spirit lives on

Shall I read on?

On

In a state required for something to function or be effective;

Turn the lights on

Get a load on

Common Curiosities

How do switches use "off" and "on"?

Switches use "off" to stop and "on" to start the operation of a device.

Can "off" and "on" be used in all types of devices?

Yes, "off" and "on" are universally used to denote the status of devices and systems.

What does "off" mean in terms of availability?

In terms of availability, "off" implies something is not available or inactive.

Is "on" always related to power usage?

Yes, when a device is "on", it generally means it is using power.

What does it mean when something is "off"?

"Off" means something is deactivated, not functioning, or disconnected.

How do the terms "off" and "on" apply to work schedules?

"Off" refers to times when work is not scheduled, while "on" indicates active work periods.

Does "off" always mean no power consumption?

Typically, yes, though some devices may have standby modes.

Can "off" indicate anything about location?

Yes, it can suggest being away from a place or that something is not adhering to a surface.

What is the opposite of "on"?

The opposite of "on" is "off".

How do "off" and "on" relate to electronic devices?

In electronics, "off" means no power is being used, and "on" means the device is operational.

What does "on" indicate in terms of events?

"On" suggests that an event or activity is occurring as planned.

Are there exceptions to these definitions?

The basic meanings remain the same, but context can alter usage slightly.

Are "off" and "on" used differently in different cultures?

The usage can be consistent, but interpretations might vary slightly based on local conventions.

What does "on" imply about physical positioning?

It usually indicates that something is resting on and supported by another surface.

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Written by

Maham Liaqat

Co-written by

Fiza Rafique

Fiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.