1 B1 neutral
To install a piece of equipment or system.
"We're having new double-glazed windows put in next week."
separable
put in
B1 neutral separable transitive
To install equipment or a system; to invest time or effort; to make a formal request; or to say something during a conversation.
In plain English
To add something, to spend time or effort on something, or to ask for something officially.
What does "put in" mean?
4 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 neutral
To spend time or effort on something.
"You can see the quality of his work — he really puts in the hours."
separable
3 B1 neutral
To formally request or apply for something (often 'put in for').
"She's put in for a transfer to the Edinburgh branch."
inseparable
4 B2 neutral
To say something, often briefly, as part of a conversation.
"'I think we need more data before deciding,' he put in quietly."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To place something inside something else.
Actually means
To add something, to spend time or effort on something, or to ask for something officially.
Usage tip
Very high-frequency phrasal verb with multiple common senses. 'Put in the hours/work/effort' is a common collocation. 'Put in for' (apply for) is especially common in British English. 'Put in' for installing is a natural informal alternative to 'install.'
Words that pair with "put in"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
hours effort work request bid heating word
How to conjugate "put in"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
put in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
puts in
he/she/it
Past simple
put in
yesterday
Past participle
put in
have + pp
-ing form
putting in
continuous
Hear "put in" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "put in" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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