1 C1 neutral
To add someone to a formal work or duty schedule.
"They rostered her on for the night shift every Friday."
separable
roster on
C1 neutral separable transitive
To officially schedule or assign someone to a duty roster or work schedule.
In plain English
To put someone's name on a list that shows when they have to work.
What does "roster on" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 neutral
To be assigned to work a particular period, especially in a rota-based system.
"I've been rostered on for Christmas Day, so I can't come to dinner."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To place (someone) on a roster — transparent enough to be guessed from its parts.
Actually means
To put someone's name on a list that shows when they have to work.
Usage tip
Predominantly Australian and New Zealand English. Common in workplaces with shift systems such as hospitals, police, and military. Less common in British or American English, where 'schedule' or 'put on the rota' would be preferred.
Words that pair with "roster on"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
shift duty weekend staff worker nurse
How to conjugate "roster on"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
roster on
I/you/we/they
3rd person
rosters on
he/she/it
Past simple
rostered on
yesterday
Past participle
rostered on
have + pp
-ing form
rostering on
continuous
Hear "roster on" in the wild
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