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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, while tooting your own horn can be uncomfortable, logging and publicizing on-the-job wins is about controlling your professional narrative.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 29, 2026

“If, God forbid, there’s a terrible tragedy, I can’t think of better on-the-job training than what I’ve gotten over the last 200 days,” Vice President J.D.

From Salon • Sep. 3, 2025

"I believe in on-the-job training, but not as the mayor of New York."

From BBC • Jun. 24, 2025

Instead of joining an acting academy in London, as he had planned, Chamberlain received what he referred to as on-the-job training during his more than four years living in England.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2025

“Good luck” or “Godspeed” were what you might expect to hear at the conclusion of on-the-job training for some other kind of work.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover