# puts

/ˈpʊts/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/puts
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to place or move

verb · CEFR A1

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

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

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

### 2. finance/options

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

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

For teachers: 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.

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

## Examples

- She puts her keys on the table every evening.
- He puts a lot of effort into his homework because he wants to get into a good university.
- The author puts her arguments so clearly that even readers unfamiliar with the historical period can follow the logic of her thesis without difficulty.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.