on-frequency(ly)
|on/fre/quen/cy|
🇺🇸
/ɑn ˈfrikwənsi/
🇬🇧
/ɒn ˈfriːkwənsi/
(on-frequency)
at the correct frequency
Etymology
'on-frequency' is a compound of the preposition 'on' and the noun 'frequency'. 'on' originates from Old English 'on' meaning 'in, into, on', and 'frequency' comes from Latin 'frequentia' (via Old French and Middle English).
'frequency' originates from Latin 'frequentia' (from 'frequens' meaning 'repeated, crowded'), passed into Old French and Middle English as 'frequencie' and later became the modern English 'frequency'. The compound 'on-frequency' is a modern technical formation using 'on' + 'frequency' to mean 'at the frequency'.
Individually, 'on' meant 'in/on/into' and 'frequency' referred to 'the state of occurring often or the rate of repetition'; combined in technical contexts it came to mean 'at the correct or specified frequency'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
tuned or set to the desired frequency; matching a target frequency.
Ensure the transmitter is on-frequency(ly) before starting the transmission tests.
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Adverb 1
at the correct or intended frequency; operating or tuned to the specified frequency.
The test signal must be emitted on-frequency(ly) to be measured correctly by the spectrum analyzer.
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Adverb 2
(figurative) In agreement or alignment with a standard, schedule, or expectation (less common usage).
The team's progress was on-frequency(ly) with the project's timeline.
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Last updated: 2025/10/30 15:31