1 B2 idiomatic neutral
To spread a story, rumour, or piece of information among many people.
"Someone put it around that the boss was planning to fire half the team, and everyone panicked."
separable
put around
B2 neutral separable transitive
To spread information or rumours among a group of people; also to place something physically around an object.
In plain English
To tell a story or piece of news to many different people, or to wrap or place something around something else.
What does "put around" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 A2 neutral
To place something so that it surrounds or encircles something else.
"She put a blanket around the child's shoulders to keep him warm."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To place something in a position surrounding an object.
Actually means
To tell a story or piece of news to many different people, or to wrap or place something around something else.
Usage tip
The information-spreading sense is more common in American English, while 'put about' covers similar ground in British English. The physical sense (wrap around) is literal and transparent.
Words that pair with "put around"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
rumour word story fence ribbon arm
How to conjugate "put around"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
put around
I/you/we/they
3rd person
puts around
he/she/it
Past simple
put around
yesterday
Past participle
put around
have + pp
-ing form
putting around
continuous
Hear "put around" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "put around" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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