American English
/ˈɔn.tu/
2 syllables · Stress the first syllable.
To a position on top of something or on a surface.
“Onto” can sound like “ON-too” (/ˈɔn.tu/ or /ˈɑn.tu/). In natural connected speech, the ending may be reduced to “-tuh” (/ˈɔn.tə/), especially before a consonant sound, as in “onto the boat.”
To a position on top of something or on a surface.
The cat jumped onto the table.
She put the books onto the shelf.
get onto a bus · climb onto the roof · jump onto the bed · put something onto a shelf
verb + onto + noun
verb + noun + onto + noun
To a new activity, subject, stage, or system.
Let’s move onto the next question.
The team went onto a new computer system.
move onto the next step · move onto a new topic · go onto the next stage
move + onto + noun
go + onto + noun
To suspect that someone has done something wrong and be close to proving it.
The police are onto him.
She knew her boss was onto her.
be onto someone
be + onto + person
To have found an idea or explanation that may be important or correct.
I think you’re onto something.
The scientists may be onto a solution.
be onto something
be + onto + something
to suspect someone and be close to discovering what they did
The police are onto him.
to have found a good or important idea
I think you’re onto something.