'on-time' originates from the combination of 'on' and 'time', where 'on' indicates a state or condition and 'time' refers to a specific moment or period.

'on-time' evolved from the phrase 'on time', which has been used in English since the 19th century to denote punctuality.

Initially, it meant 'at the scheduled time', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.