Put Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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put

[pสŠt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

action

to move or place something in a particular position

Synonyms

place, position, set.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
put

Used in everyday situations where an object is being moved to a location.

  • Please put the book on the shelf.
  • She put her keys on the table.
place

More formal than 'put', used when you want to carefully or purposefully put something in a specific spot.

  • He placed the vase on the mantelpiece.
  • Please place your order before midnight.
set

Used for placing something down or arranging items, often implying finality or preparation.

  • He set the table for dinner.
  • Set the timer for ten minutes.
position

Used when arranging or organizing something in a specific way, often in a strategic or deliberate manner.

  • Position the camera so that it captures the entire stage.
  • She positioned herself behind the podium.

Examples of usage

  • She put the book on the table.
  • Can you put the groceries away, please?
Context #2 | Noun

gambling

a stake in poker or other gambling games

Synonyms

bet, stake, wager.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
put

Use 'put' in generic situations where you are placing something somewhere.

  • Please put the book on the table.
  • She put her keys on the shelf.
stake

Use 'stake' when you have something significant to lose or gain, usually in financial or competitive situations. This term can sometimes have a negative connotation when referring to risky investments.

  • He decided to stake all his savings on the startup.
  • She has a lot at stake in this competition.
bet

Use 'bet' when you are placing a monetary or emotional wager on an outcome. It can also mean being confident about something unrelated to gambling.

  • I bet $50 on the football game.
  • I bet he'll be late to the meeting.
wager

Use 'wager' in formal or traditional gambling contexts involving money. This word often implies a calculated risk.

  • He made a wager at the horse race.
  • They wagered $100 on the outcome of the game.

Examples of usage

  • He raised the put to $50.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Grammar

  • 'Put' is a versatile verb that can be used in many tenses, including past and present, such as 'put', 'putting', and 'puts'.
  • It can also form phrasal verbs, like 'put off' (to postpone) or 'put up with' (to tolerate), adding new meanings.
  • As a transitive verb, it requires a direct object (something must be put).

Pop Culture

  • In the 1993 film 'Groundhog Day', the character Phil Connors experiences the same day repeatedly, using the โ€˜putโ€™ in various contexts to show changes.
  • The phrase 'put it on the list' has become a cultural reference, often used in various media to signify priorities.
  • 'Put' also features in various titles of songs, implying action and intention, like in 'Put It All On Me' by Ed Sheeran.

Philosophy

  • The act of 'putting' something implies intention and agency, raising questions about free will and control over oneโ€™s environment.
  • In existential philosophy, the phrase 'putting yourself out there' often encourages taking risks and embracing vulnerability.
  • The concept also emphasizes the relational aspect of existence โ€“ how we 'put' ourselves in situations defines our interactions with the world.

Everyday Usage

  • 'Put' is often used in everyday expression, such as โ€˜put your shoes onโ€™ or โ€˜put the groceries away,โ€™ making it a practical word.
  • It appears in many common idioms, like 'put your foot down' (to assert authority) or 'put your money where your mouth is' (backing your claims with action).
  • In cooking, โ€˜putโ€™ is frequently used in instructions, guiding practices like โ€˜put the cake in the ovenโ€™.

Origin of 'put'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'put' comes from the Old English 'puttan', which means to place or set down.
  • In Middle English, 'put' took on forms like 'potten' and 'putten', showing its evolution over time.
  • The word has ancient roots linked to similar terms in Germanic languages, reflecting common actions across cultures.

The word 'put' originated from the Old English word 'putian', which means 'to put, place, set'. It has been used in the English language for centuries to describe the action of placing something in a particular position. Over time, 'put' has become a common and versatile verb in English, used in various contexts and situations.


See also: putting, putty.

Word Frequency Rank

With position #218, this word is vital for basic English fluency. It appears very frequently in everyday language and should be among the first words you learn and actively use.