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put-on
[ noun poot-on, -awn; adjective poot-on, -awn ]
noun
- 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.
put on
verb
- to clothe oneself in
to put on a coat
- usually passive to adopt (an attitude or feeling) insincerely
his misery was just put on
- to present or stage (a play, show, etc)
- to increase or add
the batsman put on fifty runs before lunch
she put on weight
- to cause (an electrical device) to function
- also preposition to wager (money) on a horse race, game, etc
he put ten pounds on the favourite
- also preposition to impose as a burden or levy
to put a tax on cars
- cricket to cause (a bowler) to bowl
- put someone on
- to connect (a person) by telephone
- to mock or tease
noun
- a hoax or piece of mockery
- an affected manner or mode of behaviour
Word History and Origins
Origin of put-on1
Example Sentences
Her voice, in essence, sounds like a put-on version of a particularly technical rapper from the American South.
The first thing to know about King's personality is that it isn't a put-on for Fox News.
This was evidently no put-on apology for the occasion, and Wyndham, as he spoke, looked as penitent as his words.
It draws a share of the benefit, as it does the sympathy of those who are attracted by that well-put-on, appealing look.
And since her niece had come to live with her, this put-on sternness had increased.
"Some have, I believe," Anthony returned, with his well-put-on air of indifference.
"She's only china, and her hair's a put-on wig," said Agatha, with tears in her eyes.
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