carry-on

[kar-ee-on, -awn]

adjective

1. of a size and shape suitable for being carried onto and stowed in the passenger compartment of an airplane.

   carry-on luggage.

noun

1. a piece of carry-on luggage.

carry on

verb

1. (intr) to continue or persevere

   we must carry on in spite of our difficulties

2. (tr) to manage or conduct

   to carry on a business

3. informal,  to have an affair

4. informal,  (intr) to cause a fuss or commotion

noun

1. informal,  a fuss or commotion

adjective

1. (of luggage) to be taken inside an aircraft by hand personally by a passenger

Word History and Origins

Origin of carry on¹

First recorded in 1950–55; adj., noun use of verb phrase carry on

Idioms and Phrases

Maintain, conduct, as in The villagers carried on a thriving trade , or They carried on a torrid love affair . [c. 1600]

Continue or progress, persevere, as in I'm sure you can carry on without me . [Mid-1600s]

Behave in an excited, improper, or silly manner, as in They laughed and sang and carried on rather noisily . [Early 1800s]

Flirt, engage in an illicit love affair, as in She accused her friend of carrying on with her husband . [Early 1900s]

Related Words

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