put out

USAGE SUMMARY

"put out" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It has several meanings, depending on context. For example, you can use it as a verb meaning "to extinguish (fire)" or "to produce (an item) for sale or distribution." You can also use it as an adjective meaning "exhausted" or "annoyed," or as an adverb meaning "outside." Example sentence: The firefighter quickly put out the blazing fire.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We put out Dumpsters".

The New Yorker

"We put out the fire".

The New York Times

Then it was put out.

The New Yorker

So put out the flags?

The Economist

Analogue has put out 32.

The New York Times

They put out a calendar.

Cornell University

Feelers put out.

The New York Times - Sports

I put out snacks.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Put out to sea".

The Guardian - Opinion

Put out more flags.

The Guardian

Put out your cigarettes!

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "put out" to mean extinguish a fire, be specific about what is being extinguished to avoid ambiguity. For example, "put out the campfire" is clearer than simply "put out."

Common error

Avoid using "put out" without context, as it can mean to extinguish a fire, publish something, or cause inconvenience. Ensure the context clarifies your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "put out" functions primarily as a verb with multiple meanings, including extinguishing a fire, publishing something, or causing someone annoyance. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in various contexts. Examples show its versatility in news, media, and everyday communication.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

9%

Academia

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "put out" is a versatile and commonly used phrase in English, as confirmed by Ludwig. Its primary functions include extinguishing a fire, publishing or releasing information, and causing annoyance. Ludwig AI highlights that it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication. Be mindful of the context to ensure clarity, as "put out" has multiple meanings. Remember to use it to offer alternatives to actions like extinguish a fire with options like "extinguish", publish with options like "publish" or denote frustration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extinguish

Focuses specifically on stopping a fire or light from burning.

publish

Refers to making something available to the public, such as a book or article.

release

Implies making something available or known, often after a period of restriction.

issue

Suggests formally giving something out, like a statement or document.

quench

Specifically means to satisfy thirst or suppress something, like a desire or emotion.

broadcast

Implies disseminating information widely, often through media.

distribute

Focuses on spreading something out to a number of people or places.

annoy

Refers to causing someone to feel irritated or displeased.

upset

Implies causing someone to feel worried, unhappy, or angry.

disconcert

Suggests disturbing someone's composure or causing them to feel unsettled.

FAQs

How can I use "put out" in a sentence?

The phrasal verb "put out" has multiple meanings. It can mean to extinguish a fire, as in "The firefighter had to /s/put+out the flames". It can also mean to publish something, as in "The company /s/put+out a press release". Finally, it can mean to inconvenience someone.

What can I say instead of "put out" when referring to extinguishing a fire?

Alternatives to "put out" in the context of extinguishing a fire include "extinguish", "smother", or "douse".

What can I say instead of "put out" when referring to publishing or releasing something?

If you mean to publish or release something, you can use "publish", "release", or "issue" as alternatives to "put out".

Is it correct to use "put out" to describe someone being annoyed?

Yes, "put out" can be used as an adjective to describe someone who is annoyed or inconvenienced. For example, "He was /s/put+out by the change of plans."