1
: something (such as an advertising promotion) intended to entice or allure
2
: a usually sexual advance
came on; come on; coming on; comes on
1
a
: to advance by degrees
darkness came on
b
: to begin by degrees
rain came on toward noon
2
a
: please
—used in cajoling or pleading
b
—used interjectionally to express astonishment, incredulity, or recognition of a put-on
3
: to project an indicated personal image
comes on as a conservative
4
: to show sexual interest in someone
also
: to make sexual advances
—usually used with to
tried to come on to her
Synonyms
Examples of come-on in a Sentence
Noun
the spectacular sale was enough of a come-on to get many shoppers to try the store for the first time
Recent Examples on the Web
IEEE Spectrum, 24 Mar. 2013
Not long after, Holt turned down a come-on from the producer Howard Hughes.
—Justin Curto, Vulture, 19 Nov. 2024
Jennifer Maas, Variety, 10 Feb. 2025
While Swift’s reception at the stadium most likely coincided with the Chief’s poor performance in the first two quarters of the game, Williams’ small shout-out comes on a night that keeps trying — and failing — to make the Midnights singer the butt of the joke.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 9 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for come-on 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
That come-on, ostensibly from a bank, had an attachment laced with a Trojan.
—IEEE Spectrum, 24 Mar. 2013
Not long after, Holt turned down a come-on from the producer Howard Hughes.
—Justin Curto, Vulture, 19 Nov. 2024
Verb
His appointment to president and COO comes on the heels of Fox reporting its latest quarterly earnings results last week and broadcast network Fox airing Super Bowl LIX on Sunday.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 10 Feb. 2025
While Swift’s reception at the stadium most likely coincided with the Chief’s poor performance in the first two quarters of the game, Williams’ small shout-out comes on a night that keeps trying — and failing — to make the Midnights singer the butt of the joke.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 9 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for come-on
Dictionary Entries Near come-on
Cite this Entry
“Come-on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/come-on. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
come on
intransitive verb
: to be brought forward (as a case in court)
the first prize case of the war…came on for trial—W. G. Young
W. G. YoungLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share