Ask Difference

Keep vs. Put — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 22, 2023
"Keep" implies maintaining possession or condition; "Put" means to place or position something. Both represent different actions.
Keep vs. Put — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Keep and Put

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Key Differences

"Keep" and "Put" are versatile verbs with distinct meanings. "Keep" generally refers to the act of retaining, maintaining, or preserving something. It implies a sense of possession or adherence to a certain condition, state, or order. For instance, to keep a diary is to maintain a record regularly, reflecting an ongoing action or state of preserving information.
On the other hand, "Put" is more about positioning or placing something somewhere. It involves the action of moving an object to a specific location or into a specific condition or state. For example, to put a book on a shelf signifies the act of placing it there, focusing more on the action of placement rather than preservation or retention.
"Keep" often denotes an ongoing, prolonged, or repetitive action, emphasizing continuation or repetition. It may suggest maintaining possession of something or continuing a certain behavior or condition, such as keeping silence, which means to continue being silent. It has a broader, more abstract application, implying a sustained state or condition.
Conversely, "Put" signifies a more immediate or concrete action, concentrating on the moment of placing or positioning without the implication of duration. It is typically more tangible and specific, as in putting a vase on a table, detailing a one-time action without necessarily indicating any prolongation or continuity.
While "Keep" may suggest a responsibility to maintain or preserve, "Put" does not imply any obligation beyond the act of placing. "Keep" often involves a degree of care or effort to sustain, whereas "Put" is neutral, focusing solely on the action of positioning without an inherent sense of preservation or maintenance.
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Comparison Chart

Meaning

Refers to retaining, maintaining, or preserving something.
Refers to placing or positioning something.

Duration

Implies continuation or repetition.
Typically indicates a one-time, immediate action.

Responsibility

Suggests an obligation to maintain or preserve.
Does not imply an obligation beyond placement.

Abstractness

Can have broader, more abstract applications.
Is more concrete and specific.

Usage Example

“Keep the change.”
“Put the change on the counter.”

Compare with Definitions

Keep

Keep denotes preserving or sustaining something.
Keep the door closed to avoid the cold.

Put

Put implies positioning something in a certain way.
Put the keys in the ignition.

Keep

A keep (from the Middle English kype) is a type of fortified tower built within castles during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars have debated the scope of the word keep, but usually consider it to refer to large towers in castles that were fortified residences, used as a refuge of last resort should the rest of the castle fall to an adversary.

Put

Move to or place in a particular position
Harry put down his cup
I put my hand out towards her
Watch where you're putting your feet!

Keep

To retain possession of
Kept the change.
Must keep your composure.

Put

Bring into a particular state or condition
He is putting himself at risk
They tried to put me at ease
A large aid programme was put into practice

Keep

To have as a supply
Keep spare parts in case of emergency.

Put

Cause (someone or something) to be subject to something
Commentators put some of the blame on Congress
He defended his decision to put VAT on domestic fuel

Keep

To provide (a family, for example) with maintenance and support
"There's little to earn and many to keep" (Charles Kingsley).

Put

Throw (a shot or weight) as an athletic sport
She set a women's record by putting the shot 56' 7"

Keep

To support (a mistress or lover) financially.

Put

A throw of a shot or weight.

Keep

To put customarily; store
Where do you keep your saw?.

Put

Short for put option

Keep

To supply with room and board for a charge
Keep boarders.

Put

To place in a specified location; set
She put the books on the table.

Keep

To raise
Keep chickens.

Put

To cause to be in a specified condition
His gracious manners put me at ease.

Keep

To maintain for use or service
An urbanite who didn't keep a car.

Put

To cause (one) to undergo something; subject
The interrogators put the prisoner to torture.

Keep

To manage, tend, or have charge of
Keep the shop while I'm away.

Put

To assign; attribute
They put a false interpretation on events.

Keep

To preserve (food).

Put

To estimate
We put the time at five o'clock.

Keep

To cause to continue in a state, condition, or course of action
Tried to keep the patient calm.

Put

To impose or levy
The governor has put a tax on cigarettes.

Keep

To maintain records or entries in
Keep a yearly diary.

Put

(Games) To wager (a stake); bet
Put $50 on a horse.

Keep

To enter (data) in a book
Keep financial records.

Put

(Sports) To hurl with an overhand pushing motion
Put the shot.

Keep

To detain
Was kept after school.

Put

To bring up for consideration or judgment
Put a question to the judge.

Keep

To restrain
Kept the child away from the stove.
Kept the crowd back with barriers.

Put

To express; state
I put my objections bluntly.

Keep

To prevent or deter
Tried to keep the ice from melting.

Put

To render in a specified language or literary form
Put prose into verse.

Keep

To refrain from divulging
Keep a secret.

Put

To adapt
The lyrics had been put to music.

Keep

To save; reserve
Keep extra money for emergencies.

Put

To urge or force to an action
A mob that put the thief to flight.

Keep

To adhere or conform to; follow
Keep late hours.

Put

To apply
We must put our minds to it.

Keep

To be faithful to; fulfill
Keep one's word.

Put

To force the purchase of (a stock or commodity) by exercising a put option.

Keep

To celebrate; observe
Keep the Sabbath.

Put

(Nautical) To proceed
The ship put into the harbor.

Keep

To remain in a state or condition; stay
Keep in line.
Keep quiet.
Kept well.

Put

(Sports) An act of putting the shot.

Keep

To continue to do
Keep on talking.
Keep guessing.

Put

An option to sell a stipulated amount of stock or securities within a specified time and at a fixed price.

Keep

To remain fresh or unspoiled
The dessert won't keep.

Put

Fixed; stationary
Stay put.

Keep

To restrain oneself; hold oneself back
I couldn't keep from eavesdropping.

Put

To place something somewhere.
She put her books on the table.

Keep

Care; charge
The child is in my keep for the day.

Put

To bring or set into a certain relation, state or condition.
Put your house in order!
He is putting all his energy into this one task.
She tends to put herself in dangerous situations.

Keep

The means by which one is supported
Earn one's keep.

Put

(finance) To exercise a put option.
He got out of his Procter and Gamble bet by putting his shares at 80.

Keep

The stronghold of a castle.

Put

To express something in a certain manner.
When you put it that way, I guess I can see your point.

Keep

A jail.

Put

(athletics) To throw a heavy iron ball, as a sport. See shot put. Do not confuse with putt.

Keep

To continue in (a course or mode of action); to not intermit or fall from; to uphold or maintain.
To keep silence;
To keep possession

Put

To steer; to direct one's course; to go.

Keep

To remain faithful to a given promise or word.
To keep one's word;
To keep one's promise

Put

To play a card or a hand in the game called put.

Keep

(transitive) To hold the status of something.

Put

To attach or attribute; to assign.
To put a wrong construction on an act or expression

Keep

To maintain possession of.
I keep a small stock of painkillers for emergencies.

Put

(obsolete) To lay down; to give up; to surrender.

Keep

To maintain the condition of; to preserve in a certain state.
I keep my specimens under glass to protect them.
The abundance of squirrels kept the dogs running for hours.

Put

To set before one for judgment, acceptance, or rejection; to bring to the attention.
To put a question; to put a case

Keep

(transitive) To record transactions, accounts, or events in.
I used to keep a diary.

Put

(obsolete) To incite; to entice; to urge; to constrain; to oblige.

Keep

(transitive) To enter (accounts, records, etc.) in a book.

Put

(mining) To convey coal in the mine, as for example from the working to the tramway.

Keep

(archaic) To remain in; to be confined to.

Put

(business) A right to sell something at a predetermined price.

Keep

To restrain.
I keep my pet gerbil away from my brother.
Don't let me keep you; I know you have things to be doing.

Put

(finance) Short for put option.
He bought a January '08 put for Procter and Gamble at 80 to hedge his bet.

Keep

(with from) To watch over, look after, guard, protect.
May the Lord keep you from harm.

Put

The act of putting; an action; a movement; a thrust; a push.
The put of a ball

Keep

To supply with necessities and financially support (a person).
He kept a mistress for over ten years.

Put

(uncountable) An old card game.

Keep

(of living things) To raise; to care for.
He has been keeping orchids since retiring.

Put

(obsolete) A fellow, especially an eccentric or elderly one; a duffer.

Keep

To refrain from freely disclosing (a secret).

Put

(obsolete) A prostitute.

Keep

To maintain (an establishment or institution); to conduct; to manage.

Put

A pit.

Keep

To have habitually in stock for sale.

Put

A rustic; a clown; an awkward or uncouth person.
Queer country puts extol Queen Bess's reign.
What droll puts the citizens seem in it all.

Keep

(intransitive) To hold or be held in a state.

Put

The act of putting; an action; a movement; a thrust; a push; as, the put of a ball.

Keep

(obsolete) To reside for a time; to lodge; to dwell.
She kept to her bed while the fever lasted.

Put

A certain game at cards.

Keep

To continue.
I keep taking the tablets, but to no avail.

Put

A privilege which one party buys of another to "put" (deliver) to him a certain amount of stock, grain, etc., at a certain price and date.
A put and a call may be combined in one instrument, the holder of which may either buy or sell as he chooses at the fixed price.

Keep

To remain edible or otherwise usable.
Potatoes can keep if they are in a root cellar.
Latex paint won't keep indefinitely.

Put

A prostitute.

Keep

(copulative) To remain in a state.
The rabbit avoided detection by keeping still.
Keep calm! There's no need to panic.

Put

To move in any direction; to impel; to thrust; to push; - nearly obsolete, except with adverbs, as with by (to put by = to thrust aside; to divert); or with forth (to put forth = to thrust out).
His chief designs are . . . to put thee by from thy spiritual employment.

Keep

(obsolete) To wait for, keep watch for.

Put

To bring to a position or place; to place; to lay; to set; figuratively, to cause to be or exist in a specified relation, condition, or the like; to bring to a stated mental or moral condition; as, to put one in fear; to put a theory in practice; to put an enemy to fight.
This present dignity,In which that I have put you.
I will put enmity between thee and the woman.
He put no trust in his servants.
When God into the hands of their delivererPuts invincible might.
In the mean time other measures were put in operation.

Keep

To act as wicket-keeper.
Godfrey Evans kept for England for many years.

Put

To attach or attribute; to assign; as, to put a wrong construction on an act or expression.

Keep

To take care; to be solicitous; to watch.

Put

To lay down; to give up; to surrender.
No man hath more love than this, that a man put his life for his friends.

Keep

To be in session; to take place.
School keeps today.

Put

To set before one for judgment, acceptance, or rejection; to bring to the attention; to offer; to state; to express; figuratively, to assume; to suppose; - formerly sometimes followed by that introducing a proposition; as, to put a question; to put a case.
Let us now put that ye have leave.
Put the perception and you put the mind.
These verses, originally Greek, were put in Latin.
All this is ingeniously and ably put.

Keep

(transitive) To observe; to adhere to; to fulfill; to not swerve from or violate.

Put

To incite; to entice; to urge; to constrain; to oblige.
These wretches put us upon all mischief.
Put me not use the carnal weapon in my own defense.
Thank him who puts me, loath, to this revenge.

Keep

To visit (a place) often; to frequent.

Put

To throw or cast with a pushing motion "overhand," the hand being raised from the shoulder; a practice in athletics; as, to put the shot or weight.

Keep

To observe or celebrate (a holiday).
The feast of St. Stephen is kept on December 26.

Put

To convey coal in the mine, as from the working to the tramway.
Put case that the soul after departure from the body may live.
Coming from thee, I could not put him back.
Mark, how a plain tale shall put you down.
Sugar hath put down the use of honey.
I hoped for a demonstration, but Themistius hoped to put me off with an harangue.
We might put him off with this answer.
For the certain knowledge of that truthI put you o'er to heaven and to my mother.

Keep

(historical) The main tower of a castle or fortress, located within the castle walls.

Put

To go or move; as, when the air first puts up.

Keep

The food or money required to keep someone alive and healthy; one's support, maintenance.
He works as a cobbler's apprentice for his keep.

Put

To steer; to direct one's course; to go.
His fury thus appeased, he puts to land.

Keep

(obsolete) The act or office of keeping; custody; guard; care; heed; charge; notice.

Put

To play a card or a hand in the game called put.

Keep

The state of being kept; hence, the resulting condition; case.
To be in good keep

Put

The option to sell a given stock (or stock index or commodity future) at a given price before a given date

Keep

(obsolete) That which is kept in charge; a charge.

Put

Put into a certain place or abstract location;
Put your things here
Set the tray down
Set the dogs on the scent of the missing children
Place emphasis on a certain point

Keep

(engineering) A cap for holding something, such as a journal box, in place.

Put

Cause to be in a certain state; cause to be in a certain relation;
That song put me in awful good humor

Keep

To care; to desire.
I kepe not of armes for to yelp [boast].

Put

Formulate in a particular style or language;
I wouldn't put it that way
She cast her request in very polite language

Keep

To hold; to restrain from departure or removal; not to let go of; to retain in one's power or possession; not to lose; to retain; to detain.
If we lose the field,We can not keep the town.
That I may know what keeps me here with you.
If we would weigh and keep in our minds what we are considering, that would instruct us.

Put

Attribute or give;
She put too much emphasis on her the last statement
He put all his efforts into this job
The teacher put an interesting twist to the interpretation of the story

Keep

To cause to remain in a given situation or condition; to maintain unchanged; to hold or preserve in any state or tenor.
His loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal.
Keep a stiff rein, and move but gently on.

Put

Make an investment;
Put money into bonds

Keep

To have in custody; to have in some place for preservation; to take charge of.
The crown of Stephanus, first king of Hungary, was always kept in the castle of Vicegrade.

Put

Estimate;
We put the time of arrival at 8 P.M.

Keep

To preserve from danger, harm, or loss; to guard.
Behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee.

Put

Cause (someone) to undergo something;
He put her to the torture

Keep

To preserve from discovery or publicity; not to communicate, reveal, or betray, as a secret.
Great are thy virtues . . . though kept from man.

Put

Adapt;
Put these words to music

Keep

To attend upon; to have the care of; to tend.
And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden, to dress it and to keep it.
In her girlish age, she kept sheep on the moor.

Put

Arrange thoughts, ideas, temporal events, etc.;
Arrange my schedule
Set up one's life
I put these memories with those of bygone times

Keep

To record transactions, accounts, or events in; as, to keep books, a journal, etc.; also, to enter (as accounts, records, etc. ) in a book.

Put

Put means to place something in a specific location.
Put the dishes in the cabinet.

Keep

To maintain, as an establishment, institution, or the like; to conduct; to manage; as, to keep store.
Like a pedant that keeps a school.
Every one of them kept house by himself.

Put

Put involves causing someone or something to be in a specific state.
The news put him in a good mood.

Keep

To supply with necessaries of life; to entertain; as, to keep boarders.

Put

Put denotes the action of moving something to a position.
She put her hand on his shoulder.

Keep

To have in one's service; to have and maintain, as an assistant, a servant, a mistress, a horse, etc.
I keep but three men and a boy.

Put

Put can refer to expressing thoughts in words.
Put your thoughts into words clearly.

Keep

To have habitually in stock for sale.

Keep

To continue in, as a course or mode of action; not to intermit or fall from; to hold to; to maintain; as, to keep silence; to keep one's word; to keep possession.
Both day and night did we keep company.
Within this portal as I kept my watch.

Keep

To observe; to adhere to; to fulfill; not to swerve from or violate; to practice or perform, as duty; not to neglect; to be faithful to.
I have kept the faith.
Him whom to love is to obey, and keepHis great command.

Keep

To confine one's self to; not to quit; to remain in; as, to keep one's house, room, bed, etc.; hence, to haunt; to frequent.
'Tis hallowed ground;Fairies, and fawns, and satyrs do it keep.

Keep

To observe duly, as a festival, etc.; to celebrate; to solemnize; as, to keep a feast.
I went with them to the house of God . . . with a multitude that kept holyday.

Keep

To remain in any position or state; to continue; to abide; to stay; as, to keep at a distance; to keep aloft; to keep near; to keep in the house; to keep before or behind; to keep in favor; to keep out of company, or out reach.

Keep

To last; to endure; to remain unimpaired.
If the malt be not thoroughly dried, the ale it makes will not keep.

Keep

To reside for a time; to lodge; to dwell.
Knock at his study, where, they say, he keeps.

Keep

To take care; to be solicitous; to watch.
Keep that the lusts choke not the word of God that is in us.

Keep

To be in session; as, school keeps to-day.

Keep

The act or office of keeping; custody; guard; care; heed; charge.
Pan, thou god of shepherds all,Which of our tender lambkins takest keep.

Keep

The state of being kept; hence, the resulting condition; case; as, to be in good keep.

Keep

The means or provisions by which one is kept; maintenance; support; as, the keep of a horse.
Grass equal to the keep of seven cows.
I performed some services to the college in return for my keep.

Keep

That which keeps or protects; a stronghold; a fortress; a castle; specifically, the strongest and securest part of a castle, often used as a place of residence by the lord of the castle, especially during a siege; the dungeon. See Illust. of Castle.
The prison strong,Within whose keep the captive knights were laid.
The lower chambers of those gloomy keeps.
I think . . . the keep, or principal part of a castle, was so called because the lord and his domestic circle kept, abode, or lived there.

Keep

That which is kept in charge; a charge.
Often he used of his keepA sacrifice to bring.

Keep

A cap for retaining anything, as a journal box, in place.

Keep

The financial means whereby one lives;
Each child was expected to pay for their keep
He applied to the state for support
He could no longer earn his own livelihood

Keep

The main tower within the walls of a medieval castle or fortress

Keep

A cell in a jail or prison

Keep

Keep in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g.,
Keep clean
Hold in place
She always held herself as a lady
The students keep me on my toes

Keep

Continue a certain state, condition, or activity;
Keep on working!
We continued to work into the night
Keep smiling
We went on working until well past midnight

Keep

Retain possession of;
Can I keep my old stuffed animals?
She kept her maiden name after she married

Keep

Prevent from doing something or being in a certain state;
We must prevent the cancer from spreading
His snoring kept me from falling asleep
Keep the child from eating the marbles

Keep

Conform one's action or practice to;
Keep appointments
She never keeps her promises
We kept to the original conditions of the contract

Keep

Observe correctly or closely;
The pianist kept time with the metronome
Keep count
I cannot keep track of all my employees

Keep

Look after; be the keeper of; have charge of;
He keeps the shop when I am gone

Keep

Maintain by writing regular records;
Keep a diary
Maintain a record
Keep notes

Keep

Supply with room and board;
He is keeping three women in the guest cottage
Keep boarders

Keep

Allow to remain in a place or position;
We cannot continue several servants any longer
She retains a lawyer
The family's fortune waned and they could not keep their household staff
Our grant has run out and we cannot keep you on
We kept the work going as long as we could

Keep

Supply with necessities and support;
She alone sustained her family
The money will sustain our good cause
There's little to earn and many to keep

Keep

Fail to spoil or rot;
These potatoes keep for a long time

Keep

Celebrate, as of holidays or rites;
Keep the commandments
Celebrate Christmas
Observe Yom Kippur

Keep

Keep under control; keep in check;
Suppress a smile
Keep your temper
Keep your cool

Keep

Maintain in safety from injury, harm, or danger;
May God keep you

Keep

Raise;
She keeps a few chickens in the yard
He keeps bees

Keep

Retain rights to;
Keep my job for me while I give birth
Keep my seat, please
Keep open the possibility of a merger

Keep

Store or keep customarily;
Where do you keep your gardening tools?

Keep

Have as a supply;
I always keep batteries in the freezer
Keep food for a week in the pantry
She keeps a sixpack and a week's worth of supplies in the refrigerator

Keep

Maintain for use and service;
I keep a car in the countryside
She keeps an apartment in Paris for her shopping trips

Keep

Hold and prevent from leaving;
The student was kept after school

Keep

Prevent (food) from rotting;
Preserved meats
Keep potatoes fresh

Keep

Keep means to retain possession of something.
Keep the receipt for future reference.

Keep

Keep implies maintaining a condition or state.
Keep silent during the performance.

Keep

Keep can mean to continue doing something.
Keep walking until you reach the end of the street.

Keep

Keep involves adhering to a specified order or arrangement.
Keep your belongings organized.

Common Curiosities

Does “put” imply a responsibility to maintain?

No, “put” primarily focuses on the action of placing or positioning without implying maintenance.

Does “keep” imply a sense of possession?

Yes, “keep” often implies retaining possession or control over something.

Is “put” usually a one-time action?

Typically, “put” denotes a one-time, immediate action of placing or positioning.

Does “put” imply any continuation?

No, “put” focuses on the moment of placing or positioning without implying duration.

Can “keep” mean to continue an action?

Yes, “keep” can imply continuing a specific action or behavior.

Can “keep” refer to maintaining a condition?

Yes, “keep” can mean maintaining a specific condition or state, such as keeping quiet.

Can “put” mean to express something in words?

Yes, “put” can refer to expressing thoughts, feelings, or ideas in words.

Can “keep” imply a prolonged action?

Yes, “keep” often denotes an ongoing, prolonged, or repetitive action.

Does “keep” involve care or effort?

Often, “keep” involves a degree of care or effort to sustain or maintain.

Is “keep” more abstract than “put”?

Often, “keep” can have more abstract implications, while “put” is usually more concrete.

Can “put” refer to causing someone to be in a state?

Yes, “put” can involve causing someone or something to be in a specific state or condition.

Is “put” about moving an object to a location?

Yes, “put” generally involves moving an object to a specific location or position.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.

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