Transcription
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
-
- [hohld on, awn]
- /hoʊld ɒn, ɔn/
- /həʊld ɒn/
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [hohld on, awn]
- /hoʊld ɒn, ɔn/
Definitions of hold on words
- verb with object hold on to have or keep in the hand; keep fast; grasp: She held the purse in her right hand. He held the child's hand in his. 1
- verb with object hold on to set aside; reserve or retain: to hold merchandise until called for; to hold a reservation. 1
- verb with object hold on to bear, sustain, or support, as with the hands or arms, or by any other means. 1
- verb with object hold on to keep in a specified state, relation, etc.: The preacher held them spellbound. 1
- verb with object hold on to detain: The police held him at the station house. 1
- verb with object hold on to engage in; preside over; carry on: to hold a meeting. 1
Information block about the term
Origin of hold on
First appearance:
before 900 One of the 4% oldest English words
before 900; Middle English holden, Old English h(e)aldan; cognate with Old Frisian, Old Norse halda, Old Saxon, Gothic haldan, Old High German haltan (German halten)
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Hold on
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
hold on popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 100% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
hold on usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for hold on
verb hold on
- go on — to move or proceed, especially to or from something: They're going by bus.
- linger — to remain or stay on in a place longer than is usual or expected, as if from reluctance to leave: We lingered awhile after the party.
- remain — to continue in the same state; continue to be as specified: to remain at peace.
- stay — (of a ship) to change to the other tack.
- live — to have life, as an organism; be alive; be capable of vital functions: all things that live.
Antonyms for hold on
verb hold on
- cease — If something ceases, it stops happening or existing.
- reject — to refuse to have, take, recognize, etc.: to reject the offer of a better job.
- refuse — to decline to accept (something offered): to refuse an award.
- discontinue — to put an end to; stop; terminate: to discontinue nuclear testing.
- halt — to falter, as in speech, reasoning, etc.; be hesitant; stumble.
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with h
- Words starting with ho
- Words starting with hol
- Words starting with hold
- Words starting with holdo
- Words starting with holdon