*SET-U

English word origin

Etymology of go on

Structurally equivalent to go onward.

2 source sectionsBrief source recordWiktionary original ↗
In this entry · 2 source sections

The source etymologies

Wiktionary via Kaikki / Wiktextract

The source reports below are imported and unreviewed by *SET-U. Separate numbered origins and differing source variants are preserved; agreement within this extraction is not independent corroboration.

Source etymology 1

Original entry ↗
intj

Expressing that the speaker can continue speaking without interruption from the listener. · Expressing surprise, disbelief or incredulity. · Expressing encouragement, see come on. · Yes; okay; it's a deal.

verb

To continue in extent. · To continue an action. · To proceed (to do something). · To talk frequently or at great length (about a subject).

Selected source glosses provide context, not a complete modern definition inventory

Structurally equivalent to go onward.

This page abbreviates 2 auxiliary source items. The etymology narrative is not shortened. Omission counts are available in the audit fields below; consult the original for complete auxiliary material.

Inspect preserved source fields

Raw extraction fields are retained for auditing. Their order does not establish ancestry.

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    {
      "pos": "intj",
      "glosses": [
        "Expressing that the speaker can continue speaking without interruption from the listener.",
        "Expressing surprise, disbelief or incredulity.",
        "Expressing encouragement, see come on.",
        "Yes; okay; it's a deal."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "Australia",
        "New-Zealand",
        "especially",
        "UK"
      ],
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    },
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      "pos": "verb",
      "glosses": [
        "To continue in extent.",
        "To continue an action.",
        "To proceed (to do something).",
        "To talk frequently or at great length (about a subject)."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "intransitive"
      ],
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}

Source etymology 2

Original entry ↗
verb

To use and adopt (information) in order to understand an issue, make a decision, etc.; to go by.

Selected source glosses provide context, not a complete modern definition inventory

Structurally equivalent to go upon.

Inspect preserved source fields

Raw extraction fields are retained for auditing. Their order does not establish ancestry.

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  "templates": [],
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  "references": [],
  "descendants": [],
  "lexical": [
    {
      "pos": "verb",
      "glosses": [
        "To use and adopt (information) in order to understand an issue, make a decision, etc.; to go by."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "transitive"
      ],
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Where this record stops

This page does not supply an independently verified sound-change sequence, first-use manuscript or complete family tree unless a cited analysis explicitly establishes one. Missing detail here is a limit of this record—not a claim that humanity knows nothing more.

An older meaning does not determine what a word must mean today. Follow the sources, preserve disagreements, and keep ancestry separate from interpretation.

Contribute located evidence for go on →

Source and snapshot

Imported from Wiktionary contributors; extracted by Tatu Ylonen / Wiktextract / Kaikki.org. Selected fields are reformatted and grouped; wording, source identity and etymology sections are retained. CC-BY-SA-4.0 applies to the imported source material.

Dump: 2026-10-01 · Extracted: 2026-10-30. These are snapshot dates, not the word’s first attestation or the page’s revision date.

Source entry and bibliography ↗Wiktionary revision history ↗Acquisition and rights ledger
Machine-source provenance
Source SHA-256
5ff2c072f8099f2d2ce484bd6957bf179f046d2ad37bc36555edf8bb84cb5291
Import run
73216b9a9b78ed3830994bf853103716f5a4dc57099e371e9f8fdc468facca26
Permanent entry ID
w-Z28gb24