adjectiveadverb

online

Verbunden mit dem Internet oder einem digitalen Netzwerk und dadurch erreichbar oder nutzbar.

Definition & meaning

Online means connected to the internet or a computer network, or available and active through the internet. It can describe people, devices, services, content, and activities.

Examples:

Ich bin online. — “I am online.”
Der Drucker ist online. — “The printer is connected and available.”
Wir machen einen Online-Kurs. — “We are taking an online course.”
Die Zeitung ist online verfügbar. — “The newspaper is available online.”

It can also refer to activities carried out via the internet, such as shopping, banking, learning, or meetings.

Grammar & Word origin

Online is an English loanword that is also used in German. It functions mainly as an indeclinable adjective or adverb:

online sein — to be online
online gehen — to go online
online arbeiten — to work online

As part of a compound noun, it is usually written with a capital letter:

der Online-Kurs — online course
das Online-Banking — online banking
der Online-Shop — online shop

The word comes from English online, originally meaning “on the line,” and later referring to connection to a computer network.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms

im Internet — “on the internet”; a more explicit phrase than online
vernetzt — networked or connected; emphasizes a connection between devices or systems
digital — digital; broader than online, since something can be digital without being connected to the internet
erreichbar — reachable or available; often used for people or services, but does not necessarily imply an internet connection