Online

/ˌɑːnˈlaɪn/ adjective, adverb

Definition

Connected to or available through the internet or a computer network.

Etymology

From "on" and "line," where "line" originally meant a physical connection like a telephone line. As computers and networks spread, "online" came to mean actively connected to a digital system.

Kelly Says

Being "online" used to mean literally attached to a physical cable; now it feels almost like a mental state. The word shows how invisible our infrastructure has become—we rarely think about the lines anymore.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.