What does "puts" mean?

1. (to place or move) the form of 'put' used with he, she, it, or a single name. 2. (finance/options) contracts that give someone the right to sell a stock at a certain price.

How do you use "puts"?

Always requires a direct object and a location or direction. Commonly used in the phrase 'puts and calls'.

puts

v. · n.

US //ˈpʊts// puts

1 to place or move (v.)
A1 Beginner

the form of 'put' used with he, she, it, or a single name.

the third-person singular present indicative form of 'put', used to describe placing or moving something into a particular position.

Example

He always puts his keys on the small table near the front door.

Example

The chef carefully puts the finishing touches on the dessert before it is carried out to the dining room.

Usage

Always requires a direct object and a location or direction.
- places
- sets
- lays
- removes
- takes
2 finance/options (n.)
C1 Advanced Technical Law

contracts that give someone the right to sell a stock at a certain price.

plural form of 'put'; financial contracts giving the owner the right, but not the obligation, to sell an asset at a specified price within a specific time frame.

Example

The investor bought several puts to protect his portfolio against a market crash.

Example

Traders often utilise puts as a hedging strategy when they anticipate a significant downturn in the underlying equity's valuation.

Usage

Commonly used in the phrase 'puts and calls'.
- put options
- calls

Last updated June 19, 2026