Jump To:

• 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.

---

right on British  

interjection

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

---

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.

---

Etymology

Origin of right-on

An Americanism dating back to 1965–70

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

right-on right on

“His unassailable integrity and right-on powers of assessment allowed him to act as a highly effective advocate for me.” she said.

From New York Times ● Dec. 21, 2019

My mind would have exploded if I’d seen something as bold and right-on as Big Mouth at 14.

From The Guardian ● Oct. 10, 2019

“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

Through the open door to the sitting-room, and down the wall to the right-on and on she crept.

From Across the Years by Eleanor H. (Eleanor Hodgman) Porter

It sits right on the pedestrian promenade in the busy downtown port area, making it easy to pair with a kebab lunch and a scoop of local ice cream.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026

But a late safety car closed up the field, and he spent the final stint right on the gearbox of George Russell's leading Mercedes, and lost out on the win by less than 0.2secs.

From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2026

Just having Kaytranada, it’s been long overdue but right on time, and to me that’s all that matters.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 3, 2026

Ibrahim Issa, 50, is from the Yemeni coastal town of Dhubab, right on the front lines of the war between Yemen's Houthis and the Saudi-backed pro-government forces fighting them.

From BBC ● Sep. 21, 2026

Then we turn right on Main and take the back entrance into the college so we can run the nature trail, which loops around campus.

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---

Related Words

• absolutely right
• correct
• right
• true

---