c'mon

C’mon is an informal term that can be used to express a lot of different things, most commonly frustration and encouragement.

It can be used to mean things like “Hurry up!,” “Let’s go!,” “Do it!,” or “Try harder!” (In fact, it is often used alongside these phrases to emphasize them, as in C’mon, hurry up!). In these senses, it’s often said forcefully and with some amount of annoyance. It can be used to express exasperation, disappointment, disagreement, or disbelief, as in You really expect me to believe that? C’mon.   

It’s often used as a way to tell someone not to do something or that they shouldn’t have done something, as in C’mon, don’t be like that. 

It can also be used in much the opposite way—to encourage someone, as in C’mon, you can do it!

C’mon is a contraction (shortened form) of the phrase come on, which has many different meanings and can be used as a verb, a noun, and an interjection—a term used to express an emotion or otherwise indicate something, often by itself, outside of a sentence. However, c’mon is only ever used as an interjection and a verb, as in He needs to c’mon if we’re going to leave on time. As a verb, it’s often used in commands, as in C’mon and tell me the truth already. In these last two examples, the full phrase come on is more commonly used.

Example: Don’t just drop your trash on the sidewalk! C’mon, man!

The first records of the contraction c’mon come from the 1930s. It’s contracted in this way to reflect how it’s pronounced. Come on has been used as a verb phrase since at least the 1400s.

C’mon is most commonly used as an interjection, especially one said when you’re annoyed. It’s very informal and is often followed by an informal term of address, such as man, dude, y’all, and guys.

Though c’mon can have many different intended meanings, even some that are completely opposite, you can usually tell what it’s meant to express by the way it’s said and what is happening, even if it’s the only thing that’s said. For example, one fan at a football game may yell C’mon, Eagles! in frustration while another shouts it as encouragement (frustration is more likely).

What are some other forms related to c’mon?

• come on (full, uncontracted form)

What are some synonyms for c’mon?

• hurry up
• let’s go
• argh

What are some words that share a root or word element with c’mon? 

• come on in
• come
• on

What are some words that often get used in discussing c’mon?

• man
• dude
• guys
• already

C’mon is very informal. It can be used to express all kinds of things, including frustration and encouragement.

Look I haven’t even been on Twitter that long but seriously, what is with all the negative comments on people’s posts all the time, even the positive ones? Like, c’mon people, really??

— VisionSkyX (@VisionSkyX) October 5, 2020

i hate when my friends ask me what i'm up to after 11 pm it's like you KNOW i'm eating cereal dude c'mon

— harry styles of van life :) (@nateandmufasa) October 4, 2020

"My best game plan is to sit on the bench and call out specific instructions like 'C'mon Boog,' 'Get ahold of one, Frank,' or 'Let's go, Brooks.'"—Earl Weaver

Heart of the AL East winning #Orioles' composite, 1970 regular season line: 26 HRs, 95 RBIs and .293 average. pic.twitter.com/uy4VvvJ9SZ

— The 1971 Orioles: Daily Report (@1970Orioles) October 3, 2020

Is c’mon used correctly in the following sentence?

C’mon, everybody, it’s time to party!