on the fence

O o

Transcription

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [on, awn stressed th ee fens]
- /ɒn, ɔn stressed ði fɛns/

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [on, awn stressed th ee fens]
- /ɒn, ɔn stressed ði fɛns/

Definitions of on the fence words

noun on the fence a barrier enclosing or bordering a field, yard, etc., usually made of posts and wire or wood, used to prevent entrance, to confine, or to mark a boundary. 1
noun on the fence Informal. a person who receives and disposes of stolen goods. 1
noun on the fence the place of business of such a person. 1
noun on the fence the act, practice, art, or sport of fencing. 1
noun on the fence skill in argument, repartee, etc. 1
noun on the fence Machinery. a guard or guide, as for regulating the movements of a tool or work. 1

See all 23 definitions of on the fence

Information block about the term

Origin of on the fence

First appearance:

before 1300

One of the 15% oldest English words

1300-50; Middle English fens, aphetic for defens defense

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for On the fence

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

Full grammatical hierarchy of On the fence

on the fence popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 97% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.

Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

on the fence usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for on the fence

adj on the fence

astraddle — with a leg on either side of something
betwixt and between — in an intermediate, indecisive, or middle position
disciplined — having or exhibiting discipline; rigorous: paintings characterized by a disciplined technique.
dithering — a trembling; vibration.
free-spirited — characterized by independence and unconventionality

adjective on the fence

neutral — not taking part or giving assistance in a dispute or war between others: a neutral nation during World War II.
nonaligned — not aligned: nonaligned machine parts.
nonbelligerent — of or relating to a country whose status or policy is one of nonbelligerency.
noncombatant — a person connected with a military force in some capacity other than that of a fighter, as a surgeon or chaplain.
nondiscriminatory — characterized by or showing prejudicial treatment, especially as an indication of bias related to age, color, national origin, religion, sex, etc.: discriminatory practices in housing; a discriminatory tax.

All 16 Synonyms of on the fence