put-on

[ noun poot-on, -awn; adjective poot-on, -awn ]

/ noun ˈpʊtˌɒn, -ˌɔn; adjective ˈpʊtˈɒn, -ˈɔn /

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See synonyms for put-on on Thesaurus.com

noun Informal.

an act or instance of putting someone on.

a prank or pretense, especially one perpetrated or assumed in mock seriousness; hoax; spoof.

affected manner or behavior; pretentiousness.

adjective

assumed, feigned, pretended, or disguised: a put-on manner that didn't fool anyone.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of put-on

1855–60; adj., noun use of verb phrase put (someone) on

Words nearby put-on

put lead in one's pencil, putlog, put money on, Putnam, putoff, put-on, put on a brave face, put on a brave front, put on airs, put on an act, put on a pedestal

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use put-on in a sentence

Her voice, in essence, sounds like a put-on version of a particularly technical rapper from the American South.
Stop Being So Surprised By the Rise of Iggy Azalea|Kevin Fallon|May 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The first thing to know about King's personality is that it isn't a put-on for Fox News.
The New King of Congress|Bryan Curtis|November 28, 2010|DAILY BEAST
This was evidently no put-on apology for the occasion, and Wyndham, as he spoke, looked as penitent as his words.
The Willoughby Captains|Talbot Baines Reed
It draws a share of the benefit, as it does the sympathy of those who are attracted by that well-put-on, appealing look.
Hot corn: Life Scenes in New York Illustrated|Solon Robinson

And since her niece had come to live with her, this put-on sternness had increased.
The Carved Lions|Mrs. Molesworth
"Some have, I believe," Anthony returned, with his well-put-on air of indifference.
It Happened in Egypt|C. N. Williamson
"She's only china, and her hair's a put-on wig," said Agatha, with tears in her eyes.
A Christmas Posy|Mary Louisa Stewart Molesworth

British Dictionary definitions for put-on

put on

verb (tr, mainly adverb)

to clothe oneself into put on a coat

(usually passive) to adopt (an attitude or feeling) insincerelyhis misery was just put on

to present or stage (a play, show, etc)

to increase or addshe put on weight; the batsman put on fifty runs before lunch

to cause (an electrical device) to function

(also preposition) to wager (money) on a horse race, game, etche put ten pounds on the favourite

(also preposition) to impose as a burden or levyto put a tax on cars

cricket to cause (a bowler) to bowl

put someone on

to connect (a person) by telephone
slang to mock or tease

noun put-on slang, mainly US and Canadian

a hoax or piece of mockery

an affected manner or mode of behaviour

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with put-on

put on

Clothe oneself with, as in I put on my socks. [Mid-1400s]

Apply, activate, as in He put on the brakes. [Mid-1700s]

Assume affectedly, pretend to, as in He put on a British accent. This idiom is sometimes put as put it on, as in He's not really asleep; he's putting it on. [Late 1600s; late 1800s]

put someone on. Tease or mislead another, as in I don't believe you! You're putting me on. [Slang; mid-1900s]

Add to, gain, as in Please put this on our bill, or I've put on some weight.

Cause to be performed, produce, as in I hear they're putting on Shakespeare this summer. [Late 1800s]