Put: meaning, definitions and examples

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.