Skip to main content
on-off switch

on-off switch

1 2.0
A control that turns power to a device on or off
  • noun
  • /ˈɔnˌɔf swɪtʃ/
translation icon : interruptor
  • The television won't work unless you flip the on-off switch to the 'on' position.
  • control of the on-off switch

Angle snapping is handled by a single on off switch, but hint guys just leave that off.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • To turn on the lamp, just press the on-off switch located on the side.

  • Toshiba must have put an on-off switch here.

  • Another aspect before I hook it up is that this does have an on off switch right on the the female end here.

  • It's like the on off switch in your light bulb.

  • These are simple on, off switches, so it shouldn't matter.

  • We've got our on off switch as well as our power inlet port for wall power.

  • Installing the new tape in the recorder took about thirty seconds; then he found the on-off switch and turned off the recorder.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • Make sure to check the on-off switch before calling for repairs on the broken appliance.

Synonyms

toggle
vson-off switch
8 3.9

A control that changes between two states like on and off

is specifically a two position control that manages electricity or device operation
toggle switch
vson-off switch
  • Specialized
1 3.9

A small lever you move to turn electric power on or off

is a two position device that simply controls power flow without mentioning lever
electrical switch
vson-off switch
1 2.8

A device that connects and cuts the flow of electricity to turn a light or machine on and off

is specifically a two position device used to control power or device operation
selector switch
vson-off switch
1 4.6

A control you move to choose a setting on a machine

is limited to two fixed positions rather than choosing among many settings
electric switch
vson-off switch
2.7

A small device on a wall that turns electricity on and off

is limited to a simple two position control for power flow

How Complex

lighting
207 3.1
lightboard
  • Specialized
6.3
dimmer
  • Specialized
16 3.4
on-off switch
1 2.0

Surface Forms

on-off switch singular

Morphology

on-off + switch

The noun phrase denotes a switch that toggles between the states 'on' and 'off', so its meaning is directly and literally derived from the constituents 'on' + 'off' modifying 'switch'. This is a transparent, compositional pattern built from very frequent, cross-linguistically common words, so a B1 learner who knows 'on', 'off' and 'switch' will readily understand it.

Etymology

On-off switch is named for its two positions, on and off. Flip it from 'off', which means no power, to 'on', which means power, so the name reminds you it simply controls whether a device works.