1 C1 idiomatic neutral
To spread a rumour, story, or piece of information among many people.
"Someone had put about the rumour that the company was going bankrupt, which caused panic among the staff."
separable
put about
C1 formal separable transitive/intransitive
To spread information, rumours, or stories, often unofficially or maliciously; also a nautical term for changing a ship's course.
In plain English
To tell a rumour or story to many people, or (for a ship) to turn around.
What does "put about" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 formal
(nautical) To change a ship's course, especially to sail in the opposite direction.
"The captain ordered the crew to put about as a storm was approaching from the south."
inseparable
3 C1 idiomatic formal
(British, dated) To cause someone distress or upset.
"She was much put about by the news of her neighbour's sudden departure."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
In sailing: to turn a boat about (around).
Actually means
To tell a rumour or story to many people, or (for a ship) to turn around.
Usage tip
The 'spread information' sense is mostly British English and somewhat formal or old-fashioned. The nautical sense is technical. 'Put about' can also mean to cause someone distress (British dialectal, archaic). The phrase 'much put about' means upset or troubled.
Words that pair with "put about"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
rumour story news word false information tale
How to conjugate "put about"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
put about
I/you/we/they
3rd person
puts about
he/she/it
Past simple
put about
yesterday
Past participle
put about
have + pp
-ing form
putting about
continuous
Hear "put about" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "put about" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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