put on

You place clothes or equipment on your body so that you are wearing them.

• Put on your shoes.
• She put on a helmet before riding.
• Have you put your glasses on?

How to use it: put on something / put something on (Put your coat on before you leave.)

Similar words: don

Opposites: take off

Common phrases: put on shoes, put on gloves, put on something

You place clothing on another person or add a covering or decoration to a surface.

• Put some sunscreen on the baby.
• He put a clean bib on his daughter.
• We put another layer of paint on the door.

How to use it: put something on someone/something (She put a warm coat on the child.)

Similar words: apply

Common phrases: put on sunscreen, put on makeup, put on paint

You start playing recorded music, a film, or another recording.

• Let's put on some music.
• Dad put on a film after dinner.
• Could you put that song on again?

How to use it: put on something / put something on (I'll put your favorite album on.)

Similar words: play

Common phrases: put on music, put on a record, put on a film, put on jazz

You use a voice, expression, or way of behaving that is not your real one.

• She put on a smile.
• He puts on an accent to make us laugh.
• Was that surprise real, or were you putting it on?

How to use it: put on something / put something on (He put on a cheerful voice for the children.)

Similar words: fake, affect, assume

Common phrases: put on airs, put on an accent, put on a smile

You make someone believe something that is not true, usually as a joke.

• You're putting me on!
• I thought he was putting us on.
• She wasn't putting you on; the news is true.

How to use it: put someone on (Are you putting me on about winning the prize?)

Similar words: kid, fool, tease

Common phrases: put someone on, just put someone on