Hold on — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb

Meaning & Definition of Hold on

Hold on (verb)

  1. to maintain a condition or position, persist
  2. to maintain a grasp on something, hang on
  3. to await something (such as a telephone connection) desired or requested; broadly, wait

Hold on (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to remain indefinitely in existence or in the same state

    "the ancient beliefs still held on in remote mountain villages"

    similar: abide, bide, continue, endure, hold up, keep up, last, perdure, persist, remain, run on
    related: linger, stay, stick around, tarry, carry through, prevail, survive
    opposite: cease, close, conclude, desist, die, discontinue, end, expire, finish, lapse, leave off, pass, quit, stop, terminate, wind up
    near: abate, die (down), ebb, let up, moderate, subside, wane

  2. to remain in place in readiness or expectation of something

    "hold on a minute—it's not your turn"

    similar: await, bide, stay, wait, bide one's time, cool one's heels, hold one's breath, sit tight
    related: hang around, linger, remain, stick around, tarry, stand by, anticipate, expect, watch (for)

Related Entry: Hold on to (phrase)

Hold on to is a different word from Hold on. The synonyms below are for hold on to, not for hold on.

  1. to keep in one's mind or heart

    "She still holds on to that feeling."

    similar: bear, cherish, entertain, harbor, have, hold, nurse, hang on to
    related: cultivate, foster, nurture, support, sustain, carry, keep, maintain, preserve, remember, retain, treasure, cleave (to), cling (to), hug, stick (to), brood (about or over), fixate (on or upon), obsess (about or over)
    near: disregard, drop, forget, ignore, neglect, overlook, abjure, decline, deny, disdain, refuse, reject, repudiate, scorn, abandon, desert, discard, forsake, give up, part (with), quit, renounce, throw out, erase, expunge

  2. to have or keep in one's hands

    "I can hold on to your grocery bags while you open the door."

    similar: clench, cling (to), clutch, grip, hold, hang on to
    related: bear, carry, bag, capture, catch, collar, corral, grab, grapple, hook, land, latch (on or onto), nab, nail, seize, snap (up), snare, snatch, take, trap, feel, finger, handle, paw, clasp, embrace, grasp, hug, cradle
    near: drop, give, hand, unclasp, unhand, cede, deliver, give up, hand out, hand over, release, relinquish, render, turn over, yield

  3. to continue to have in one's possession or power

    "He's trying to hold on to his position as chairman."

    similar: hold, keep, reserve, retain, withhold, hang on to
    related: conserve, guard, preserve, protect, save, boast, enjoy, have, own, possess, command, control, detain, direct, manage, rule, bear, harbor, cherish, cling (to), hug, treasure
    opposite: give up, hand over, release, relinquish, surrender, yield
    near: abandon, cede, drop, contribute, donate, give, hand out, discard, dump, decline, reject, repudiate, spurn, lose

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Hold on

The most common words with a similar meaning to Hold on:

abide, bide, continue, endure, hold up, keep up, last, perdure, persist, remain, run on, await, stay, wait, bide one's time, cool one's heels, hold one's breath, sit tight

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Hold on

Words with the opposite meaning of Hold on:

cease, close, conclude, desist, die, discontinue, end, expire, finish, lapse, leave off, pass, quit, stop, terminate, wind up

Related Words for Hold on

linger, stick around, tarry, carry through, prevail, survive, hang around, stand by, anticipate, expect, watch (for)

Near Antonyms of Hold on

abate, die (down), ebb, let up, moderate, subside, wane

Word Forms of Hold on

Inflections: held on, holding on, holds on

Origin & Etymology of Hold on

First known use: 13th century

Words & Phrases Containing Hold on

hold on to, put a hold on

Frequently Asked Questions about Hold on

What does "Hold on" mean?

"Hold on" means to maintain a condition or position, persist. As a verb, it is defined as: to maintain a condition or position, persist. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Hold on"?

Other words for "Hold on" include abide, bide, continue, endure, hold up, keep up, last and perdure. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Hold on" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Hold on"?

There are 29 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Hold on". Common alternatives include abide, bide, continue, endure, hold up, keep up, last, perdure, persist and remain.

What is the opposite of "Hold on"?

Antonyms of "Hold on" include cease, close, conclude, desist, die, discontinue, end and expire. Near antonyms include abate, die (down), ebb and let up.

How do you use "Hold on" in a sentence?

Examples of "Hold on" in a sentence: "the ancient beliefs still held on in remote mountain villages"; "hold on a minute—it's not your turn".

Is "Hold on" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Hold on" is a verb.

What is the origin of the word "Hold on"?

First known use: 13th century.

What is another word for "Hold on" meaning "to remain indefinitely in existence or in the same state"?

When "Hold on" (verb) means to remain indefinitely in existence or in the same state, synonyms include abide, bide, continue, endure, hold up and keep up. Opposites in this sense include cease, close, conclude and desist.