on earth

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word on earth. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word on earth, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say on earth in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word on earth you have here. The definition of the word on earth will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofon earth, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
See also: on Earth

English

Alternative forms

Prepositional phrase

on earth

  1. Expletive used for emphasis after an interrogative word.
    • 1895, Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest , [Act I]:
      Really, if the lower orders don’t set us a good example, what on earth is the use of them? They seem, as a class, to have absolutely no sense of moral responsibility.
    • 1992 April 26, “Hot Off the Press”, in Jeeves and Wooster, Series 3, Episode 5:
      A. Fink-Nottle: But it's absolute balderdash, Bertie. I mean, listen to this: "Sure and begorrah, I don't know what's after being the matter with you, Michael." I mean, what on earth is this "what's after being" stuff mean?
      B.W. Wooster: My dear old Gussie, that is how people think Irish people talk.
    • 2013 October 31, Rowena Mason, quoting David Steel, “Lord Steel criticises culture of spin and tweeting in modern politics”, in The Guardian‎, →ISSN:
      How on earth are we supposed to hold our heads high as the 'mother of parliaments' when we allow to continue the practice of almost openly buying a seat in parliament?

Synonyms

Translations

Anagrams

Wikious
Boobota
Sagapedia