Place vs. Put — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 11, 2023
"Place" often refers to a specific location or position, while "Put" means to move something into a specific position or location.
Difference Between Place and Put
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Place" primarily emphasizes the specific location or position of something. It might denote a geographical location, a point in order, or a particular spot where something belongs. "Put", in comparison, underscores the action of moving or positioning an object somewhere, usually without emphasizing the specificity of the location.
When you "Place" something, you're often more deliberate about its exact positioning. It might involve setting an object down carefully, ensuring it's in the right spot. "Put", on the other hand, may not always carry the same precision. It's more about the general action of positioning rather than exact placement.
In some contexts, "Place" and "Put" can be used interchangeably. For example, one could either "place" or "put" a book on a shelf. However, "Place" often has a broader range of meanings, extending to abstract concepts like placing value on something. "Put", in contrast, is more grounded in the physical action of positioning or setting.
"Place" also functions as a noun, indicating locations, spots, or areas, while "Put" is primarily a verb related to the action of placement. However, both words can imply intentionality and purpose in different contexts.
Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Noun and Verb
Verb
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Focus
Specific location or position
Action of positioning
Intentionality
Often more deliberate and specific
More general without emphasis on exactness
Function
Can be about positioning or referring to a location
Primarily about the action of placement
Usage
Can be abstract (e.g., place of honor)
Typically concrete (e.g., put the book down)
Compare with Definitions
Place
A specific point or position in space.
The house has a beautiful Place overlooking the lake.
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!
Place
A position in an order or sequence.
She secured first Place in the competition.
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
Place
A particular position, point, or area in space; a location
The monastery was a peaceful place
He would always have a special place in her heart
I can't be in two places at once
That street was no place for a lady
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
Place
A portion of space designated or available for or being used by someone
Jackie had saved her a place
They hurried to their places at the table
Put
Throw (a shot or weight) as an athletic sport
She set a women's record by putting the shot 56' 7"
Place
A position in a sequence or series, typically one ordered on the basis of merit
His score left him in ninth place
Put
A throw of a shot or weight.
Place
A square or short street
The lecture theatre is in New Burlington Place
Put
Short for put option
Place
Put in a particular position
A newspaper had been placed beside my plate
Put
To place in a specified location; set
She put the books on the table.
Place
Find a home or employment for
The children were placed with foster-parents
Put
To cause to be in a specified condition
His gracious manners put me at ease.
Place
Identify or classify as being of a specified type or as holding a specified position in a sequence or hierarchy
A survey placed the company 13th for achievement
Put
To cause (one) to undergo something; subject
The interrogators put the prisoner to torture.
Place
Score (a goal) by a place kick.
Put
To assign; attribute
They put a false interpretation on events.
Place
An area with definite or indefinite boundaries; a portion of space.
Put
To estimate
We put the time at five o'clock.
Place
Room or space, especially adequate space
There is place for everyone at the back of the room.
Put
To impose or levy
The governor has put a tax on cigarettes.
Place
The particular portion of space occupied by or allocated to a person or thing.
Put
(Games) To wager (a stake); bet
Put $50 on a horse.
Place
A building or an area set aside for a specified purpose
A place of worship.
Put
(Sports) To hurl with an overhand pushing motion
Put the shot.
Place
A dwelling; a house
Bought a place on the lake.
Put
To bring up for consideration or judgment
Put a question to the judge.
Place
A business establishment or office.
Put
To express; state
I put my objections bluntly.
Place
A locality, such as a town or city
Visited many places.
Put
To render in a specified language or literary form
Put prose into verse.
Place
Abbr. Pl. A public square or street with houses in a town.
Put
To adapt
The lyrics had been put to music.
Place
A space in which one person, such as a passenger or spectator, can sit or stand.
Put
To urge or force to an action
A mob that put the thief to flight.
Place
A setting for one person at a table.
Put
To apply
We must put our minds to it.
Place
A position regarded as belonging to someone or something else; stead
She was chosen in his place.
Put
To force the purchase of (a stock or commodity) by exercising a put option.
Place
A particular point that one has reached, as in a book
I have lost my place.
Put
(Nautical) To proceed
The ship put into the harbor.
Place
A particular spot, as on the body
The place that hurts.
Put
(Sports) An act of putting the shot.
Place
The proper or designated role or function
The place of the media in a free society.
Put
An option to sell a stipulated amount of stock or securities within a specified time and at a fixed price.
Place
The proper or customary position or order
These books are out of place.
Put
Fixed; stationary
Stay put.
Place
A suitable setting or occasion
Not the place to argue.
Put
To place something somewhere.
She put her books on the table.
Place
The appropriate right or duty
Not her place to criticize.
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.
Place
Social station
He overstepped his place.
Put
(finance) To exercise a put option.
He got out of his Procter and Gamble bet by putting his shares at 80.
Place
A particular situation or circumstance
Put yourself in my place.
Put
To express something in a certain manner.
When you put it that way, I guess I can see your point.
Place
High rank or status.
Put
(athletics) To throw a heavy iron ball, as a sport. See shot put. Do not confuse with putt.
Place
A job, post, or position
Found a place in the company.
Put
To steer; to direct one's course; to go.
Place
Relative position in a series; standing.
Put
To play a card or a hand in the game called put.
Place
(Games) Second position for betting purposes, as in a horserace.
Put
To attach or attribute; to assign.
To put a wrong construction on an act or expression
Place
The specified stage in a list of points to be made, as in an argument
In the first place.
Put
(obsolete) To lay down; to give up; to surrender.
Place
(Mathematics) A position in a numeral or series.
Put
To set before one for judgment, acceptance, or rejection; to bring to the attention.
To put a question; to put a case
Place
To put in or as if in a particular place or position; set.
Put
(obsolete) To incite; to entice; to urge; to constrain; to oblige.
Place
To put in a specified relation or order
Place the words in alphabetical order.
Put
(mining) To convey coal in the mine, as for example from the working to the tramway.
Place
To offer for consideration
Placed the matter before the board.
Put
(business) A right to sell something at a predetermined price.
Place
To find accommodation or employment for.
Put
(finance) Short for put option.
He bought a January '08 put for Procter and Gamble at 80 to hedge his bet.
Place
To put into a particular condition
Placed him under arrest.
Put
The act of putting; an action; a movement; a thrust; a push.
The put of a ball
Place
To arrange for the publication or display of
Place an advertisement in the newspaper.
Put
(uncountable) An old card game.
Place
To appoint to a post
Placed her in a key position.
Put
(obsolete) A fellow, especially an eccentric or elderly one; a duffer.
Place
To rank in an order or sequence
I'd place him second best.
Put
(obsolete) A prostitute.
Place
To estimate
Placed the distance at 100 feet.
Put
A pit.
Place
To identify or classify in a particular context
Could not place that person's face.
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.
Place
To give an order for
Place a bet.
Put
The act of putting; an action; a movement; a thrust; a push; as, the put of a ball.
Place
To apply or arrange for
Place an order.
Put
A certain game at cards.
Place
To make or obtain a connection for (a telephone call).
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.
Place
To sell (a new issue of stock, bonds, or other securities).
Put
A prostitute.
Place
To adjust (one's voice) for the best possible effects.
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.
Place
To be among those who finish a competition or race, especially to finish second.
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.
Place
(physical) An area; somewhere within an area.
Put
To attach or attribute; to assign; as, to put a wrong construction on an act or expression.
Place
An open space, particularly a city square, market square, or courtyard.
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.
Place
A street, sometimes but not always surrounding a public place, square, or plaza of the same name.
They live at Westminster Place.
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.
Place
An inhabited area: a village, town, or city.
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.
Place
Any area of the earth: a region.
He is going back to his native place on vacation.
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.
Place
The area one occupies, particularly somewhere to sit.
We asked the restaurant to give us a table with three places.
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.
Place
The area where one lives: one's home, formerly country estates and farms.
Do you want to come over to my place later?
Put
To go or move; as, when the air first puts up.
Place
An area of the body, especially the skin.
Which place hurts the most?
Put
To steer; to direct one's course; to go.
His fury thus appeased, he puts to land.
Place
An area to urinate and defecate: an outhouse or lavatory.
Put
To play a card or a hand in the game called put.
Place
An area to fight: a battlefield or the contested ground in a battle.
Put
The option to sell a given stock (or stock index or commodity future) at a given price before a given date
Place
A location or position in space.
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
Place
A particular location in a book or document, particularly the current location of a reader.
Put
Cause to be in a certain state; cause to be in a certain relation;
That song put me in awful good humor
Place
A passage or extract from a book or document.
Put
Formulate in a particular style or language;
I wouldn't put it that way
She cast her request in very polite language
Place
A topic.
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
Place
A state of mind.
I'm in a strange place at the moment.
Put
Make an investment;
Put money into bonds
Place
A chess position; a square of the chessboard.
Put
Estimate;
We put the time of arrival at 8 P.M.
Place
(social) A responsibility or position in an organization.
Put
Cause (someone) to undergo something;
He put her to the torture
Place
A role or purpose; a station.
It is really not my place to say what is right and wrong in this case.
Put
Adapt;
Put these words to music
Place
The position of a contestant in a competition.
We thought we would win but only ended up in fourth place.
Put
Arrange thoughts, ideas, temporal events, etc.;
Arrange my schedule
Set up one's life
I put these memories with those of bygone times
Place
(horse-racing) The position of first, second, or third at the finish, especially the second position.
To win a bet on a horse for place
Put
To move something to a particular position.
She Put the dishes in the cabinet.
Place
The position as a member of a sports team.
He lost his place in the national team.
Put
To express or phrase in a particular way.
It's hard to Put my feelings into words.
Place
A fortified position: a fortress, citadel, or walled town.
Put
To invest money or effort into something.
He Put a lot of money into the business.
Place
Numerically, the column counting a certain quantity.
Three decimal places;
The hundreds place
Put
To subject someone to something.
The news Put me in a good mood.
Place
Ordinal relation; position in the order of proceeding.
That's what I said in the first place!
Put
To establish or apply as a condition.
They Put a limit on the number of tickets sold.
Place
Reception; effect; implying the making room for.
Place
(transitive) To put (an object or person) in a specific location.
He placed the glass on the table.
Place
(intransitive) To earn a given spot in a competition.
The Cowboys placed third in the league.
Place
To finish second, especially of horses or dogs.
In the third race: Aces Up won, paying eight dollars; Blarney Stone placed, paying three dollars; and Cinnamon showed, paying five dollars.
Place
To rank at (a certain position, often followed by an ordinal) as in a horse race.
Run Ragged was placed fourth in the race.
Place
(transitive) To remember where and when (an object or person) has been previously encountered.
I've seen him before, but I can't quite place where.
Place
(transitive) To sing (a note) with the correct pitch.
Place
(transitive) To arrange for or to make (a bet).
I placed ten dollars on the Lakers beating the Bulls.
Place
(transitive) To establish a call connection by telephone or similar.
Place
(transitive) To recruit or match an appropriate person for a job, or a home for an animal for adoption, etc.
They phoned hoping to place her in the management team.
Place
To place-kick (a goal).
Place
Any portion of space regarded as measured off or distinct from all other space, or appropriated to some definite object or use; position; ground; site; spot; rarely, unbounded space.
Here is the place appointed.
What place can be for usWithin heaven's bound?
The word place has sometimes a more confused sense, and stands for that space which any body takes up; and so the universe is a place.
Place
A broad way in a city; an open space; an area; a court or short part of a street open only at one end.
Place
A position which is occupied and held; a dwelling; a mansion; a village, town, or city; a fortified town or post; a stronghold; a region or country.
Are you native of this place?
Place
Rank; degree; grade; order of priority, advancement, dignity, or importance; especially, social rank or position; condition; also, official station; occupation; calling.
Men in great place are thrice servants.
I know my place as I would they should do theirs.
Place
Vacated or relinquished space; room; stead (the departure or removal of another being or thing being implied).
Place
A definite position or passage of a document.
The place of the scripture which he read was this.
Place
Ordinal relation; position in the order of proceeding; as, he said in the first place.
Place
Reception; effect; - implying the making room for.
My word hath no place in you.
Place
Position in the heavens, as of a heavenly body; - usually defined by its right ascension and declination, or by its latitude and longitude.
Place
The position of first, second, or third at the finish, esp. the second position. In betting, to win a bet on a horse for place it must, in the United States, finish first or second, in England, usually, first, second, or third.
Place
To assign a place to; to put in a particular spot or place, or in a certain relative position; to direct to a particular place; to fix; to settle; to locate; as, to place a book on a shelf; to place balls in tennis.
Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown.
Place
To put or set in a particular rank, office, or position; to surround with particular circumstances or relations in life; to appoint to certain station or condition of life; as, in whatever sphere one is placed.
Place such over them to be rulers.
Place
To put out at interest; to invest; to loan; as, to place money in a bank.
Place
To set; to fix; to repose; as, to place confidence in a friend.
Place
To attribute; to ascribe; to set down.
Place it for her chief virtue.
Place
To determine or announce the place of at the finish. Usually, in horse racing only the first three horses are placed officially.
Place
To place-kick ( a goal).
Place
To recognize or identify (a person).
Place
A point located with respect to surface features of some region;
This is a nice place for a picnic
Place
Any area set aside for a particular purpose;
Who owns this place?
The president was concerned about the property across from the White House
Place
An abstract mental location;
He has a special place in my thoughts
A place in my heart
A political system with no place for the less prominent groups
Place
A general vicinity;
He comes from a place near Chicago
Place
The function or position properly or customarily occupied or served by another;
Can you go in my stead?
Took his place
In lieu of
Place
A particular situation;
If you were in my place what would you do?
Place
Where you live at a particular time;
Deliver the package to my home
He doesn't have a home to go to
Your place or mine?
Place
A job in an organization;
He occupied a post in the treasury
Place
The particular portion of space occupied by a physical object;
He put the lamp back in its place
Place
Proper or designated social situation;
He overstepped his place
The responsibilities of a man in his station
Married above her station
Place
A space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane);
He booked their seats in advance
He sat in someone else's place
Place
The passage that is being read;
He lost his place on the page
Place
Proper or appropriate position or location;
A woman's place is no longer in the kitchen
Place
A public square with room for pedestrians;
They met at Elm Plaza
Grosvenor Place
Place
An item on a list or in a sequence;
In the second place
Moved from third to fifth position
Place
A blank area;
Write your name in the space provided
Place
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
Place
Place somebody in a particular situation or location;
He was placed on probation
Place
Assign a rank or rating to;
How would you rank these students?
The restaurant is rated highly in the food guide
Place
Assign a location to;
The company located some of their agents in Los Angeles
Place
To arrange for;
Place a phone call
Place a bet
Place
Take a place in a competition; often followed by an ordinal;
Jerry came in third in the Marathon
Place
Intend (something) to move towards a certain goal;
He aimed his fists towards his opponent's face
Criticism directed at her superior
Direct your anger towards others, not towards yourself
Place
Recognize as being; establish the identity of someone or something;
She identified the man on the 'wanted' poster
Place
Assign to (a job or a home)
Place
Locate;
The film is set in Africa
Place
Estimate;
We put the time of arrival at 8 P.M.
Place
Identify the location or place of;
We localized the source of the infection
Place
Make an investment;
Put money into bonds
Place
Assign to a station
Place
Finish second or better in a horse or dog race;
He bet $2 on number six to place
Place
Sing a note with the correct pitch
Place
A particular spot, area, or location.
This is my favorite Place to eat.
Place
A point in time or in a sequence of events.
At this Place in the story, the plot thickens.
Place
A position, role, or function.
Everyone has their own Place in the team.
Common Curiosities
Can "Put" be used in abstract senses?
Yes, like "putting an idea into someone's head" or "putting effort" into something.
Can "Place" refer to a position in a sequence?
Yes, such as "first Place" in a race.
Is "Place" only a verb?
No, "Place" can be both a noun (referring to a location) and a verb (the action of positioning).
What's the key difference between "Place" and "Put"?
"Place" often stresses exact position, while "Put" emphasizes the action of positioning.
Can "Place" and "Put" be used interchangeably?
In some contexts, yes, but "Place" often emphasizes specific location, while "Put" emphasizes the action.
Can "Put" be about expressing or phrasing?
Yes, like "putting one's thoughts into words."
Is "Place" also about function or role?
Yes, it can indicate one's role or function in a group or setting.
Is "Place" always about a physical location?
No, it can be abstract, like "a Place in one's heart."
Can "Put" refer to subjecting someone to something?
Yes, like "putting someone under pressure."
Is "Put" about intentionality?
Often, as it relates to the act of positioning or setting.
Can "Place" denote value or importance?
Yes, as in "placing importance on honesty."
Can "Place" be about timing in events?
Yes, referring to a point in time or sequence.
Does "Place" have a role in order or hierarchy?
Yes, like "knowing one's Place."
How is "Put" used in financial contexts?
It can mean investing, as in "putting money into stocks."
Can "Put" denote establishing conditions?
Yes, like "putting a restriction" on something.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba 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.
