Definitions

on the job

[on-thuh-job, awn-] / ˈɒn ðəˌdʒɒb, ˈɔn- /

ADJECTIVE

alert

Synonyms

STRONGEST

active bright careful intelligent observant perceptive sharp vigilant wary watchful wired wise

STRONG

hip jazzed quick ready spirited

WEAK

all ears cagey circumspect clever fast on the draw good hands heads up heedful on guard on one's toes on the ball on the lookout on the qui vive psyched-up switched on wide-awake with it

Antonyms

STRONGEST

careless dull foolish ignorant inattentive incautious indifferent indiscreet lazy negligent stupid thoughtless unaware unintelligent unobservant

STRONG

slow uneducated

WEAK

asleep drowsy lethargic sluggish weary

ADJECTIVE

attentive

Synonyms

STRONGEST

aware conscientious interested observant vigilant watchful

STRONG

heedful

WEAK

alert all ears awake enrapt enthralled fascinated glued hanging on every word hooked immersed intent listening mindful on one's toes on the ball on the lookout on the qui vive preoccupied regardful studious

Antonyms

STRONGEST

careless inattentive negligent unaware

WEAK

disregarding heedless ignorant inconsiderate neglectful neglecting unattentive

ADJECTIVE

employed

Synonyms

STRONGEST

engaged hired occupied

STRONG

busy inked laboring operating selected signed

WEAK

active at it at work in a job in collar in harness in place on board on duty on the payroll plugging away

Antonyms

WEAK

idle inactive unemployed unengaged unoccupied

ADJECTIVE

jobholding

Synonyms

WEAK

active at it at work busy engaged hired in a job in collar in harness in place inked laboring occupied on board on duty on the payroll operating plugging away retained selected signed working

ADJECTIVE

mindful

Synonyms

STRONGEST

apprehensive careful cautious cognizant conscious conversant knowledgeable observant respectful solicitous vigilant wary watchful

WEAK

alert alive to au courant be up on cagey chary conscientious heedful in the know know all the answers know ins and outs knowing observative observing on one's toes on the ball on to plugged in regardful sensible thoughtful tuned-in with eyes peeled

Antonyms

STRONGEST

careless heedless ignorant inattentive incautious indifferent indiscreet negligent quiet rash thoughtless unafraid unaware uncareful uninformed unmindful unobservant unworried

WEAK

absent-minded

ADJECTIVE

on duty

Synonyms

WEAK

at work busy clocked in clocked in punched in engaged in a job in gear laboring obliged punched in working

ADJECTIVE

on the ball

Synonyms

WEAK

active all ears attentive bright cagey careful clever good hands heads up intelligent lively observant on guard on one's toes on the lookout on the stick perceptive quick ready sharp spirited vigilant watchful wise with it

ADJECTIVE

open-eyed

Synonyms

WEAK

active all ears bright cagey careful circumspect clever fast on the draw good hands heads up heedful hip intelligent jazzed observant on guard on one's toes on the ball on the lookout on the qui vive perceptive psyched-up quick ready sharp spirited switched on vigilant wakeful wary watchful wide-awake wired wise with it

ADJECTIVE

vigilant

Synonyms

STRONGEST

anxious attentive aware cautious circumspect keen observant wary

WEAK

acute agog alert guarded looking for looking to on alert on guard on the ball on the lookout on the qui vive on toes open-eyed sharp sleepless unsleeping waiting on wakeful wide-awake with eyes peeled with weather eye open

Antonyms

STRONGEST

careless heedless ignorant inattentive incautious indifferent indiscreet rash thoughtless unaware uncareful unobservant

WEAK

impulsive negligent

ADJECTIVE

watchful

Synonyms

STRONGEST

attentive careful cautious observant suspicious vigilant wary

STRONG

alert

WEAK

all ears chary circumspect glued guarded heedful hooked keen not missing a trick on guard on one's toes on the ball on the qui vive on the watch open-eyed prepared ready see after see to unsleeping wakeful wide-awake with eyes peeled

Antonyms

STRONGEST

careless heedless inattentive incautious indiscreet rash thoughtless uncareful unobservant

WEAK

negligent

ADJECTIVE

wide-awake

Synonyms

WEAK

active alert all ears attentive bright bright-eyed and bushy-tailed fast on the draw heads up intelligent lively on guard on one's toes on the ball on the lookout psyched-up quick ready sharp spirited vigilant watchful wide-eyed wired

ADJECTIVE

working

Synonyms

STRONGEST

alive busy employed engaged functioning running

STRONG

dynamic going laboring live moving operative

WEAK

effective hot in a job in force in full swing in gear in process on fire on track practical useful viable

Antonyms

STRONGEST

idle inactive unemployed unengaged

WEAK

inoperative passive unoccupied

ADVERB

on the ball

Synonyms

WEAK

alert alive attentive awake on one's toes on top of ready sharp vital wide-awake with it

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

So when Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen asked him about the Atlantic’s recent report regarding his alleged drinking on the job, Patel leapt at Van Hollen with a set of smears.

From Slate • May 16, 2026

Incoming Fed Chair Kevin Warsh was confirmed by the Senate with a vote of 54-45 on Wednesday afternoon, becoming the 17th person to take on the job.

From Barron's • May 13, 2026

After asking Shoaib Bashir to learn on the job, England then turned to batting all-rounder Will Jacks for four Tests, with predictable results.

From BBC • May 11, 2026

His yearly base salary as CEO will be $1,250,000 for the first three years on the job, with an available target annual bonus of 190% of that salary, depending on company performance.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 22, 2026

She is sixty-seven and has been on the job longer than anyone—two years—enough to rate her a mention in the newsletter published by corporate headquarters.

From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich

on the job

Example Sentences

Related Words