online
/ˌɒnˈlaɪn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌɑːnˈlaɪn/ (ame, ipa)
online — adjective
- onlinepositive
- more onlinecomparative
- most onlinesuperlative
1. describing things that people access, use, or purchase through the internet, wit
describing things that people access, use, or purchase through the internet, without needing to visit a physical location.
Karim signed up for an online course that teaches Japanese calligraphy.
attributive: online + noun (course)
The company's payment system is now online, so customers can pay from home.
predicative: be + online
Constanza switched to an online bank after her local branch closed down.
The full report should be online by Friday afternoon.
- offline
not connected to or available through the internet
文法句型
online + noun
be + online
用法筆記
Attributive use (before a noun) is more common; predicative use often signals availability or activation rather than a permanent quality.
常見錯誤
2. describing how people behave, express themselves, or communicate when they are a
describing how people behave, express themselves, or communicate when they are active on websites and apps such as social media platforms.
Lien keeps her online persona separate from her real-life identity.
attributive: online + noun (persona)
Asher's online behaviour changed after he started receiving nasty comments.
attributive: online + noun (behaviour)
Schools should teach children about online safety and responsible social media use.
Vikram deleted his online profiles after the data leak was announced.
- digital
broader — covers all electronic communication, not just internet-based
- real-world
in physical, non-digital life
文法句型
online + noun
用法筆記
Almost always used before a noun. Common with nouns describing identity, behaviour, communication, or risk (persona, presence, safety, harassment, profile).
常見錯誤
3. used to describe someone who spends so many hours on websites and social media p
used to describe someone who spends so many hours on websites and social media platforms that it strongly shapes their thinking and daily habits.
Ezra calls himself an online person because he gets all his news from Twitter and TikTok.
attributive: online + noun (person) describing a type of person
The documentary explored how online communities shape young people's political views.
Lan became less online after she realised social media was making her anxious.
Obi's online habits include checking four different platforms every twenty minutes.
- offline
not heavily engaged with the internet; living more in the physical world
文法句型
online + noun
be + online + noun describing a person
用法筆記
Common in informal contexts, especially among younger speakers. Predicative use — for example, 'He is very online' — often has a slightly negative or self-aware tone.
常見錯誤
online — adverb
1. by means of the internet; through an internet connection rather than in person o
by means of the internet; through an internet connection rather than in person or by visiting a physical place.
Élise booked her train tickets online to avoid the queue at the station.
verb collocation: book + online
Christopher paid for the guitar online and had it delivered to his apartment.
verb collocations: pay + online, have delivered
Eric teaches maths online to students in three different countries.
You can apply for the scholarship online without printing any forms.
- electronically
more formal; covers any digital method, not just internet
文法句型
verb + online
用法筆記
Pairs with a wide range of action verbs referring to transactions, communication, or administrative tasks. The verb is always placed before 'online'.
常見錯誤
2. in a situation where you have an internet connection and can send messages, brow
in a situation where you have an internet connection and can send messages, browse websites, or use other network services.
Joshua's phone came back online after he restarted it and entered the Wi-Fi password.
phrasal collocation: come back online (regain connection)
The receptionist said the booking system would be online again by lunchtime.
Lan went online to check if the library had extended its opening hours.
After the power outage, the hospital's booking system came back online and staff resumed scheduling patients.
- connected
more general; can refer to any network, including phone lines or local networks
- offline
not connected to the internet
文法句型
be + online
come + online
go + online
用法筆記
Common with linking verbs (be, come, go, stay). 'Go online' implies taking an intentional action to connect; 'come online' describes a system or device regaining functionality.
常見錯誤
3. connected to and actively communicating with a central computer system, server,
connected to and actively communicating with a central computer system, server, or network, so that data can be exchanged.
The new server came online just before the annual sale began.
phrasal collocation: come online (system activation)
All the security cameras are online and transmitting footage to the control room.
predicative: are online (connected and functioning)
The printer is not online because someone unplugged the network cable.
The factory's temperature sensors went online at six o'clock this morning.
- offline
disconnected from the system
- standalone
functions independently without network connection
文法句型
be + online
come + online
用法筆記
More technical than sense 2. Often refers to hardware, machinery, or industrial systems rather than personal devices. Common in IT and engineering contexts.
常見錯誤
❌ 'The machine came online, but then went online again 5 minutes later.' — ambiguous. Use 'went offline' for the opposite state.