Added 9 October 2026
come-on
/ˈkʌmˌɑn/ noun
noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about come-on at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
-
Something intended to attract, as in an advertisement.
The free offers are just come-ons to get you in the store so the sales staff can work on you.
-
A statement or sometimes an action reflecting sexual or romantic interest.
I thought he'd asked me to lunch to discuss business; I wasn't expecting a come-on.
- A bad actor whose talents do not extend far beyond walking onto the stage.
Origin
Deverbal from come on to. First use appears c. 1897, in the publications of Edward W. Townsend. See cite below.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)