Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [poo t on, awn]
- /pʊt ɒn, ɔn/
- /ˈpʊt ɒn/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [poo t on, awn]
- /pʊt ɒn, ɔn/
Definitions of put-on word
- noun put-on an act or instance of putting someone on. 1
- noun put-on a prank or pretense, especially one perpetrated or assumed in mock seriousness; hoax; spoof. 1
- noun put-on affected manner or behavior; pretentiousness. 1
- adjective put-on assumed, feigned, pretended, or disguised: a put-on manner that didn't fool anyone. 1
Information block about the term
Origin of put-on
First appearance:
before 1855 One of the 30% newest English words
1855-60; adj., noun use of verb phrase put (someone) on
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Put-on
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
put-on popularity
A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 54% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.
Synonyms for put-on
noun put-on
- affectation — If you say that someone's attitude or behaviour is an affectation, you disapprove of the fact that it is not genuine or natural, but is intended to impress other people.
- airs — affected manners intended to impress others (esp in the phrases give oneself airs, put on airs)
- bon mot — A bon mot is a clever, witty remark.
- buffoonery — Buffoonery is foolish behaviour that makes you laugh.
- bunco — a swindle, esp one by confidence tricksters
adj put-on
- artificial — Artificial objects, materials, or processes do not occur naturally and are created by human beings, for example using science or technology.
- assumed — false; fictitious
- campiest — of, relating to, or characterized by camp: a campy send-up of romantic operetta.
- campy — Campy means the same as camp.
- counterfeit — Counterfeit money, goods, or documents are not genuine, but have been made to look exactly like genuine ones in order to deceive people.
adjective put-on
- airish — given to putting on airs.
- artsy — Artsy means the same as arty.
- euphuistic — Of or pertaining to euphuism.
- false — not true or correct; erroneous: a false statement.
- impostrous — (archaic) Characterized by imposture; deceitful.