put
- 01 A1 Beginner
v.to move something into a specific place or position.
v.to move or place something in a particular physical location. Transitive; requires both a direct object and a locative complement.
Simple“Please put your dirty dishes in the sink when you finish eating.”
In context“The curator carefully put the fragile manuscript back into its climate-controlled display case after the inspection was complete.”
PitfallI put the book. I put the book on the table.The verb 'put' almost always needs a place (like 'on the table' or 'away') to complete the sentence.
- 02 A2 Elementary
v.to cause someone or something to be in a certain situation or feeling.
v.to bring someone or something into a particular state, relation, or condition.
Simple“The loud music put the baby in a bad mood.”
In context“The sudden change in interest rates put the entire housing project at risk of financial failure.”
- 03 B1 Intermediate
v.to say or write something in a particular way.
v.to express or state something using a specific choice of words or style.
Simple“I am not sure how to put this, but I think we should leave.”
In context“To put it bluntly, the company cannot afford to continue its current level of spending without new investment.”
- 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to guess a number, value, or amount.
v.to assign a value, figure, or estimate to something.
Simple“Experts put the cost of the repairs at over five thousand dollars.”
In context“Historians put the date of the temple's construction at roughly three centuries before the common era.”
- 05 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to throw a heavy ball as far as possible in a sports competition.
v.to throw a heavy metal ball with a pushing motion from the shoulder as an athletic exercise.
Simple“She managed to put the shot further than any other student in her class.”
In context“The athlete focused on his footwork before attempting to put the shot during the final round of the championship.”
PitfallHe is going to putt the shot. He is going to put the shot.Do not confuse 'put' (throwing a heavy ball) with 'putt' (hitting a golf ball).
- 06 C1 Advanced
n.a contract that gives you the right to sell something at a fixed price.
n.an option contract giving the owner the right, but not the obligation, to sell a specified amount of an underlying security at a specified price within a specified time.
Simple“He bought a put to protect his investment in case the stock price fell.”
In context“The investor utilised a series of puts to hedge against potential volatility in the technology sector during the upcoming earnings season.”
Synonymsput optionAntonyms
Usage put in place · put forward · put together