1 A2 neutral
To return something to the place it was taken from.
"Please put the book back on the shelf when you're done with it."
separable
put back
A2 neutral separable transitive
To return something to its original place, or to reschedule something to a later time.
In plain English
To put something where it was before, or to change the time of something to later.
What does "put back" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 neutral
To reschedule something to a later time or date.
"The meeting has been put back to Thursday because the director is unavailable."
separable
3 A2 neutral
To set a clock to an earlier time, especially at the end of daylight saving time.
"Don't forget to put the clocks back an hour this weekend."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To place something in the position it was in before.
Actually means
To put something where it was before, or to change the time of something to later.
Usage tip
The 'return to original position' sense is very common at A2. The 'reschedule' sense is common in British English (American English often uses 'push back' instead). Also used for setting clocks back in autumn.
Words that pair with "put back"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
book meeting clock deadline item flight
How to conjugate "put back"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
put back
I/you/we/they
3rd person
puts back
he/she/it
Past simple
put back
yesterday
Past participle
put back
have + pp
-ing form
putting back
continuous
Hear "put back" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "put back" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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