The phrasal verb “put on” is commonly used in everyday English, and it can have different meanings depending on the context. From wearing clothes to gaining weight or pretending, “put on” is a versatile expression worth learning.
In this article, you’ll learn the key meanings of “put on” with easy-to-understand definitions and example sentences. This will help you use the phrase correctly in conversation and writing.
The phrasal verb “put on” has several meanings depending on context. Common uses include:
- To wear – She put on her jacket before leaving.
- To gain weight – He put on a few kilos over the holidays.
- To apply – Don’t forget to put on sunscreen.
- To pretend – She put on a smile even though she was sad.
Meanings of “Put On” with Examples
The phrasal verb “put on” has several meanings depending on the situation. Below are the most common ones, with examples to help you understand how to use them.
To dress yourself in clothing or accessories
She put on her jacket before leaving the house.
Daniel put on a crisp white shirt for his job interview.
He put on a pair of gloves because it was freezing outside.
To gain weight
I’ve put on a few kilos over the holidays.
After switching to a desk job, Ravi put on noticeable weight.
Clara put on some extra pounds during her recovery period.
To apply something to your body
Don’t forget to put on some sunscreen before going outside.
Maya put on a light foundation before stepping on stage.
He put on a generous amount of cologne before the dinner party.
To perform or organize a show, event, or activity
The school is putting on a play for the end of the term.
The community center put on a charity event to support local artists.
Anna’s theater group put on an impressive Shakespeare performance.
To pretend or fake an emotion or behavior
He put on a smile even though he was feeling sad.
Leila put on a brave face despite the disappointing news.
Jason put on an air of confidence, masking his nervousness.
To cause a device or machine to operate
She put on the kettle to make some tea.
Marcus put on the washing machine before heading to work.
I put on the heater because the room felt chilly.
To add or load something onto a surface
He put on some extra toppings before baking the pizza.
He put on some extra toppings before baking the pizza.
Sara put on a second coat of paint to even out the color.
They put on more ornaments to brighten up the tree.
To assume a tone, voice, or accent
She put on a British accent just for fun.
They put on a silly tone while telling the joke.
Nina put on a playful voice when reading to the children.
To blame or assign responsibility (used in informal speech)
Don’t put that on me—it wasn’t my decision!
Liam tried to put the delay on his assistant.
You can’t put all the blame on Karen; the team agreed on the plan.
Summary
The phrasal verb “put on” has a wide range of meanings in English. It can refer to wearing clothes, gaining weight, applying something, pretending, and more. Learning these different uses with real examples helps you understand how to use “put on” naturally in everyday situations. Use this guide to improve your vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency.
