Word
onto
Phoneticson·to, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɑntu/
UK/ˈɒntʊ/
Definitions
01movement to a surface
A2 · Elementary
prep. to a position on the surface of something.
prep. indicating movement toward a position on or atop a surface.
Español:sobre
“The cat jumped onto the kitchen table to reach the food.”
“The hikers climbed onto the rocky ledge to get a better view of the valley below as the fog began to clear.”
Pitfall
She stepped on to the stage.
She stepped onto the stage.
Use 'onto' as one word when it means movement to a place. Use 'on to' as two words only if 'on' is part of a phrasal verb, like 'walk on to the next town'.
Antonyms
02aware of a secret
B2 · Upper Intermediate Informal
prep. knowing about someone's secret or bad behavior.
prep. indicating awareness of someone's true intentions or illicit activities.
“The police are onto his plan, so he will probably be caught soon.”
“The manager realised the staff were onto her strategy to reduce overtime, leading to a tense meeting on Monday morning.”
Synonyms
03surjective
C2 · Proficiency Mathematics Technical
adj. a special type of math rule where every possible result is used.
adj. describing a function where every element in the codomain is the image of at least one element from the domain.
“In this math problem, we need to prove that the function is onto.”
“The professor demonstrated that while the mapping was continuous, it was not onto, as several values in the target set remained unreached.”
Usage
In mathematics, this is often used as a predicative adjective following the verb 'to be'.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “onto” in context.
Etymology
From on + to, after into. Compare Saterland Frisian antou (“up to”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A2 · ElementaryOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/onto
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0