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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

It’s this commitment that means the Primavera lineup isn’t just one of the most right-on bills of the summer, but also one of the best.

From The Guardian ● May 3, 2019

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

From New York Times ● Jun. 14, 2017

We have little doubt that our analysis of how Teachout would be voting had she won the election would be as right-on as that of Faso.

From Washington Times ● Mar. 22, 2017

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 Porter, Eleanor H. (Eleanor Hodgman)

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

From Los Angeles Times ● 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

The warehouse is right on Indiana Street, the dividing line between Boyle Heights, which is in the city of Los Angeles, and unincorporated East L.A.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 10, 2026

“Cook your pork about halfway, so the grease gets out of it, and put that right on top of it,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026

My heart flips when I see something swinging toward us in my periphery—its hungry golden eyes trained right on me.

From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer

Related Words

• absolutely right
• correct
• right
• true