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• right-on
  right-on

  adjective

  exactly right or to the point.
• right on
  right on

  interjection

  an exclamation of full agreement, concurrence, or compliance with the wishes, words, or actions of another

right-on

American  

[rahyt-on, -awn] / ˈraɪtˈɒn, -ˈɔn /

adjective

Slang.

1. exactly right or to the point.

2. up-to-date; relevant.

   a right-on movie that shows conditions as they really are.

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right on British  

interjection

1. slang an exclamation of full agreement, concurrence, or compliance with the wishes, words, or actions of another

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adjective

1. informal modern, trendy, and socially aware or relevant

   right-on green politics

right on Idioms  

1. An exclamation of enthusiasm or encouragement, as in You've said it really well—right on! This interjection has a disputed origin. Some believe it comes from African-American slang (it was recorded in Odum and Johnson's The Negro and His Songs, 1925); others feel it is a shortening of right on target, used by military airmen, or right on cue, theatrical slang for saying the right lines at the right time. [Slang; first half of 1900s] Also see way to go.

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Etymology

Origin of right-on

An Americanism dating back to 1965–70

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

right-on right on

Meanwhile, the live band let us feel language as music by accompanying the performances with right-on renditions of Sly and the Family Stone and Teddy Pendergrass.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 19, 2023

And the lessons are right-on, for adults as well as children.

From New York Times ● Jun. 14, 2017

“It’s not an incitement to anything. We’re politically correct, right-on, the last magazine that would recommend violence or killing anyone. “Our cover is a provocation to think,” he added.

From Washington Times ● Feb. 3, 2017

At the time, The Guardian said "the whole show is a mess", while a scathing review in the Daily Mail referred to it as "super right-on" and "tooth-achingly trendy".

From BBC ● Jun. 8, 2016

It's right-on beautiful to see how kind gentlemen is nowadays': and she turned and tried, stumbling, to lead the way downstairs.

From Aylwin by Watts-Dunton, Theodore

At the start of his fifth season, Riley is convinced the Trojans are right on schedule.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026

“We think the Bank of England is right, on balance, to hold rates—though that judgment is conditional,” said David Aikman, NIESR’s director.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026

For young Americans, casual dating is as easy as swiping right on an app, but prices can quickly add up.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026

"It was relatively cheap, it was right on the trackside for a big, televised international meet of athletics. I was a student at the time and would go each year."

From BBC ● Jul. 11, 2026

Miranda has a small bedroom and her mom let me stay there, right on the desk.

From "The World According to Humphrey" by Betty G. Birney

Related Words

• absolutely right
• correct
• right
• true