onto

¹

[on-too, awn-, on-tuh, awn-]

preposition

1. to a place or position on; upon; on.

   to get onto a horse.

2. Informal.,  in or into a state of awareness about.

   I'm onto your scheme.

adjective

1. Mathematics.,  Also pertaining to a function or map from one set to another set, the range of which is the entire second set.

onto-

²

1. a combining form meaning “being,” used in the formation of compound words.

   ontogeny.

onto

¹

/ ˈɒntə, ˈɒntʊ /

preposition

1. to a position that is on

   step onto the train as it passes

2. having become aware of (something illicit or secret)

   the police are onto us

3. into contact with

   get onto the factory

onto-

²

combining form

1. existence or being

   ontogeny

   ontology

Usage

Onto is now generally accepted as a word in its own right. On to is still used, however, where on is considered to be part of the verb: he moved on to a different town as contrasted with he jumped onto the stage

Word History and Origins

Origin of onto¹

First recorded in 1575–85; on + to

Origin of onto²

< New Latin < Greek ont- (stem of ón, neuter present participle of eînai to be) + -o- -o-

Word History and Origins

Origin of onto¹

from Late Greek, from ōn (stem ont- ) being, present participle of einai to be

Example Sentences

Every time I jumped onto the platform I felt exposed, vulnerable in my new surroundings, but reassured by the knowledge that the sway and warmth of community awaited on the next train.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The app also added an extra finger onto the influencers hand, and distorted her face.

Read more on BBC

The 17th Century Baroque Charlottenburg Palace is illuminated in different colours, with falling snowflakes projected onto its facade and wooden stalls in front.

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He works as a deck hand, helping to load coal onto river barges.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

When in the end there is no fuel left, there is also no force protecting the star from falling onto itself, and the star collapses.

Read more on Space Scoop

When To Use

What does onto- mean?

Onto- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “being.” It is occasionally used in technical terms, especially in philosophy.The form onto- comes from Greek ṓn, meaning “being.” The Latin equivalents are ēns, ent- and essent- “being,” which are the sources of entity and essence.What are variants of onto-?When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, onto- becomes ont-, as in ontic. When used as a suffix at the end of a word, onto- becomes -ont, as in diplont. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use articles for ont- and -ont.