Onto
/ˈɒntuː/
prepositionBeginnerVery CommonGeneral
Meaning
Questions
Definitions
1
Used to indicate movement or direction towards a surface or location; also used figuratively to mean beginning or embarking on something.
/ˈɒntuː/
prepositionneutralBeginner
General
Expressing movement to a surface or location.
The cat jumped onto the table.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're trying to get *onto* a bus. You're moving your body and climbing *onto* it. This word helps us show where something is going or starting something new, like when you're *onto* a new adventure!
👶 For kids: It's like going *on* something, like when you climb *onto* the bed or get *onto* a swing.
More Examples
2
She got onto the train.
3
The company is embarking onto a new project.
How It's Used
General
"He climbed onto the roof."
Figurative
"She embarked onto a new career path."
From Old English *on tō*, meaning 'on to'.
Historically used in a similar manner as 'on to' in Old English.
Memory tip
Think of 'on' + 'to', literally moving *onto* a surface.
Practice
Usage
60%Spoken
40%Written