Definition

1. Phrasal Verb:
   • To begin to operate or function: Used for machines, systems, or utilities starting to work.
   • To appear or become visible: To arrive or show up, often unexpectedly.
   • To start or commence: Used for events, conditions, or performances beginning.
   • To progress or develop: To advance, especially in a satisfactory or positive way.
   • To approach or move nearer: To come closer in space or time.

Usage Examples

• Begin to operate:
  • The generator will come on automatically if the power fails.
  • The lights came on as soon as I entered the room.
• Appear or become visible:
  • A rash came on after she ate the shellfish.
  • He promised to help, but he never came on.
• Start or commence:
  • The main feature comes on at nine o'clock.
  • I feel a headache coming on.
• Progress or develop:
  • How is your new project coming on?
  • Her piano skills are coming on very well.
• Approach or move nearer:
  • Night was coming on, so we set up camp.
  • I saw a stranger coming on from a distance.

Advanced Usage

• "Come on!" (Interjection): A very common spoken phrase with several meanings depending on context and tone.
  • To encourage or urge someone: "Come on, you can do it! Just a little further!"
  • To express disbelief or disagreement: "Oh, come on! That story can't be true."
  • To tell someone to hurry up: "Come on, we're going to be late!"
• "Come on to someone": To behave in a way that shows a romantic or sexual interest in someone.
  • He was accused of coming on to his coworker at the office party.

Variants and Related Words

• Coming-on (adj): Approaching or imminent. (Less common, often hyphenated).
  • With winter coming-on, we bought warmer coats.
• Oncoming (adj): Approaching from the front.
  • He swerved to avoid the oncoming truck.

Synonyms

• Begin/Start: commence, begin, start up.
• Appear: show up, turn up, surface, emerge.
• Progress: advance, develop, come along, shape up.
• Approach: draw near, near, close in.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Come along: To accompany someone; to progress or improve.
  • You should come along to the meeting.
  • Your French is coming along nicely.
• Come up: To arise or occur; to approach.
  • An urgent matter has come up.
  • A man came up and asked for directions.
• Come out: To be revealed or published; to appear.
  • The truth finally came out.
  • The stars came out at night.

Related Idioms

• Come on strong: To be very assertive, forceful, or intense in one's manner, especially when showing interest.
  • He came on a bit strong during their first date and made her uncomfortable.
• Come on the scene: To arrive or appear in a particular situation or field.
  • A new rival company has come on the scene.

Verb

1. occur or become available
   • water or electricity came on again after the earthquake
2. start running, functioning, or operating
   • the lights went on
   • the computer came up
3. develop in a positive way
   • He progressed well in school
   • My plants are coming along
   • Plans are shaping up
4. move towards
   • We were approaching our destination
   • They are drawing near
   • The enemy army came nearer and nearer
5. appear or become visible; make a showing
   • She turned up at the funeral
   • I hope the list key is going to surface again