Keep vs. Put — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 22, 2023
"Keep" implies maintaining possession or condition; "Put" means to place or position something. Both represent different actions.
Difference Between Keep and Put
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Keep" and "Put" are versatile verbs with distinct meanings. "Keep" generally refers to the act of retaining, maintaining, or preserving something. It implies a sense of possession or adherence to a certain condition, state, or order. For instance, to keep a diary is to maintain a record regularly, reflecting an ongoing action or state of preserving information.
On the other hand, "Put" is more about positioning or placing something somewhere. It involves the action of moving an object to a specific location or into a specific condition or state. For example, to put a book on a shelf signifies the act of placing it there, focusing more on the action of placement rather than preservation or retention.
"Keep" often denotes an ongoing, prolonged, or repetitive action, emphasizing continuation or repetition. It may suggest maintaining possession of something or continuing a certain behavior or condition, such as keeping silence, which means to continue being silent. It has a broader, more abstract application, implying a sustained state or condition.
Conversely, "Put" signifies a more immediate or concrete action, concentrating on the moment of placing or positioning without the implication of duration. It is typically more tangible and specific, as in putting a vase on a table, detailing a one-time action without necessarily indicating any prolongation or continuity.
While "Keep" may suggest a responsibility to maintain or preserve, "Put" does not imply any obligation beyond the act of placing. "Keep" often involves a degree of care or effort to sustain, whereas "Put" is neutral, focusing solely on the action of positioning without an inherent sense of preservation or maintenance.
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Comparison Chart
Meaning
Refers to retaining, maintaining, or preserving something.
Refers to placing or positioning something.
Duration
Implies continuation or repetition.
Typically indicates a one-time, immediate action.
Responsibility
Suggests an obligation to maintain or preserve.
Does not imply an obligation beyond placement.
Abstractness
Can have broader, more abstract applications.
Is more concrete and specific.
Usage Example
“Keep the change.”
“Put the change on the counter.”
Compare with Definitions
Keep
Keep denotes preserving or sustaining something.
Keep the door closed to avoid the cold.
Put
Put implies positioning something in a certain way.
Put the keys in the ignition.
Keep
A keep (from the Middle English kype) is a type of fortified tower built within castles during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars have debated the scope of the word keep, but usually consider it to refer to large towers in castles that were fortified residences, used as a refuge of last resort should the rest of the castle fall to an adversary.
Put
Move to or place in a particular position
Harry put down his cup
I put my hand out towards her
Watch where you're putting your feet!
Keep
To retain possession of
Kept the change.
Must keep your composure.
Put
Bring into a particular state or condition
He is putting himself at risk
They tried to put me at ease
A large aid programme was put into practice
Keep
To have as a supply
Keep spare parts in case of emergency.
Put
Cause (someone or something) to be subject to something
Commentators put some of the blame on Congress
He defended his decision to put VAT on domestic fuel
Keep
To provide (a family, for example) with maintenance and support
"There's little to earn and many to keep" (Charles Kingsley).
Put
Throw (a shot or weight) as an athletic sport
She set a women's record by putting the shot 56' 7"
Keep
To support (a mistress or lover) financially.
Put
A throw of a shot or weight.
Keep
To put customarily; store
Where do you keep your saw?.
Put
Short for put option
Keep
To supply with room and board for a charge
Keep boarders.
Put
To place in a specified location; set
She put the books on the table.
Keep
To raise
Keep chickens.
Put
To cause to be in a specified condition
His gracious manners put me at ease.
Keep
To maintain for use or service
An urbanite who didn't keep a car.
Put
To cause (one) to undergo something; subject
The interrogators put the prisoner to torture.
Keep
To manage, tend, or have charge of
Keep the shop while I'm away.
Put
To assign; attribute
They put a false interpretation on events.
Keep
To preserve (food).
Put
To estimate
We put the time at five o'clock.
Keep
To cause to continue in a state, condition, or course of action
Tried to keep the patient calm.
Put
To impose or levy
The governor has put a tax on cigarettes.
Keep
To maintain records or entries in
Keep a yearly diary.
Put
(Games) To wager (a stake); bet
Put $50 on a horse.
Keep
To enter (data) in a book
Keep financial records.
Put
(Sports) To hurl with an overhand pushing motion
Put the shot.
Keep
To detain
Was kept after school.
Put
To bring up for consideration or judgment
Put a question to the judge.
Keep
To restrain
Kept the child away from the stove.
Kept the crowd back with barriers.
Put
To express; state
I put my objections bluntly.
Keep
To prevent or deter
Tried to keep the ice from melting.
Put
To render in a specified language or literary form
Put prose into verse.
Keep
To refrain from divulging
Keep a secret.
Put
To adapt
The lyrics had been put to music.
Keep
To save; reserve
Keep extra money for emergencies.
Put
To urge or force to an action
A mob that put the thief to flight.
Keep
To adhere or conform to; follow
Keep late hours.
Put
To apply
We must put our minds to it.
Keep
To be faithful to; fulfill
Keep one's word.
Put
To force the purchase of (a stock or commodity) by exercising a put option.
Keep
To celebrate; observe
Keep the Sabbath.
Put
(Nautical) To proceed
The ship put into the harbor.
Keep
To remain in a state or condition; stay
Keep in line.
Keep quiet.
Kept well.
Put
(Sports) An act of putting the shot.
Keep
To continue to do
Keep on talking.
Keep guessing.
Put
An option to sell a stipulated amount of stock or securities within a specified time and at a fixed price.
Keep
To remain fresh or unspoiled
The dessert won't keep.
Put
Fixed; stationary
Stay put.
Keep
To restrain oneself; hold oneself back
I couldn't keep from eavesdropping.
Put
To place something somewhere.
She put her books on the table.
Keep
Care; charge
The child is in my keep for the day.
Put
To bring or set into a certain relation, state or condition.
Put your house in order!
He is putting all his energy into this one task.
She tends to put herself in dangerous situations.
Keep
The means by which one is supported
Earn one's keep.
Put
(finance) To exercise a put option.
He got out of his Procter and Gamble bet by putting his shares at 80.
Keep
The stronghold of a castle.
Put
To express something in a certain manner.
When you put it that way, I guess I can see your point.
Keep
A jail.
Put
(athletics) To throw a heavy iron ball, as a sport. See shot put. Do not confuse with putt.
Keep
To continue in (a course or mode of action); to not intermit or fall from; to uphold or maintain.
To keep silence;
To keep possession
Put
To steer; to direct one's course; to go.
Keep
To remain faithful to a given promise or word.
To keep one's word;
To keep one's promise
Put
To play a card or a hand in the game called put.
Keep
(transitive) To hold the status of something.
Put
To attach or attribute; to assign.
To put a wrong construction on an act or expression
Keep
To maintain possession of.
I keep a small stock of painkillers for emergencies.
Put
(obsolete) To lay down; to give up; to surrender.
Keep
To maintain the condition of; to preserve in a certain state.
I keep my specimens under glass to protect them.
The abundance of squirrels kept the dogs running for hours.
Put
To set before one for judgment, acceptance, or rejection; to bring to the attention.
To put a question; to put a case
Keep
(transitive) To record transactions, accounts, or events in.
I used to keep a diary.
Put
(obsolete) To incite; to entice; to urge; to constrain; to oblige.
Keep
(transitive) To enter (accounts, records, etc.) in a book.
Put
(mining) To convey coal in the mine, as for example from the working to the tramway.
Keep
(archaic) To remain in; to be confined to.
Put
(business) A right to sell something at a predetermined price.
Keep
To restrain.
I keep my pet gerbil away from my brother.
Don't let me keep you; I know you have things to be doing.
Put
(finance) Short for put option.
He bought a January '08 put for Procter and Gamble at 80 to hedge his bet.
Keep
(with from) To watch over, look after, guard, protect.
May the Lord keep you from harm.
Put
The act of putting; an action; a movement; a thrust; a push.
The put of a ball
Keep
To supply with necessities and financially support (a person).
He kept a mistress for over ten years.
Put
(uncountable) An old card game.
Keep
(of living things) To raise; to care for.
He has been keeping orchids since retiring.
Put
(obsolete) A fellow, especially an eccentric or elderly one; a duffer.
Keep
To refrain from freely disclosing (a secret).
Put
(obsolete) A prostitute.
Keep
To maintain (an establishment or institution); to conduct; to manage.
Put
A pit.
Keep
To have habitually in stock for sale.
Put
A rustic; a clown; an awkward or uncouth person.
Queer country puts extol Queen Bess's reign.
What droll puts the citizens seem in it all.
Keep
(intransitive) To hold or be held in a state.
Put
The act of putting; an action; a movement; a thrust; a push; as, the put of a ball.
Keep
(obsolete) To reside for a time; to lodge; to dwell.
She kept to her bed while the fever lasted.
Put
A certain game at cards.
Keep
To continue.
I keep taking the tablets, but to no avail.
Put
A privilege which one party buys of another to "put" (deliver) to him a certain amount of stock, grain, etc., at a certain price and date.
A put and a call may be combined in one instrument, the holder of which may either buy or sell as he chooses at the fixed price.
Keep
To remain edible or otherwise usable.
Potatoes can keep if they are in a root cellar.
Latex paint won't keep indefinitely.
Put
A prostitute.
Keep
(copulative) To remain in a state.
The rabbit avoided detection by keeping still.
Keep calm! There's no need to panic.
Put
To move in any direction; to impel; to thrust; to push; - nearly obsolete, except with adverbs, as with by (to put by = to thrust aside; to divert); or with forth (to put forth = to thrust out).
His chief designs are . . . to put thee by from thy spiritual employment.
Keep
(obsolete) To wait for, keep watch for.
Put
To bring to a position or place; to place; to lay; to set; figuratively, to cause to be or exist in a specified relation, condition, or the like; to bring to a stated mental or moral condition; as, to put one in fear; to put a theory in practice; to put an enemy to fight.
This present dignity,In which that I have put you.
I will put enmity between thee and the woman.
He put no trust in his servants.
When God into the hands of their delivererPuts invincible might.
In the mean time other measures were put in operation.
Keep
To act as wicket-keeper.
Godfrey Evans kept for England for many years.
Put
To attach or attribute; to assign; as, to put a wrong construction on an act or expression.
Keep
To take care; to be solicitous; to watch.
Put
To lay down; to give up; to surrender.
No man hath more love than this, that a man put his life for his friends.
Keep
To be in session; to take place.
School keeps today.
Put
To set before one for judgment, acceptance, or rejection; to bring to the attention; to offer; to state; to express; figuratively, to assume; to suppose; - formerly sometimes followed by that introducing a proposition; as, to put a question; to put a case.
Let us now put that ye have leave.
Put the perception and you put the mind.
These verses, originally Greek, were put in Latin.
All this is ingeniously and ably put.
Keep
(transitive) To observe; to adhere to; to fulfill; to not swerve from or violate.
Put
To incite; to entice; to urge; to constrain; to oblige.
These wretches put us upon all mischief.
Put me not use the carnal weapon in my own defense.
Thank him who puts me, loath, to this revenge.
Keep
To visit (a place) often; to frequent.
Put
To throw or cast with a pushing motion "overhand," the hand being raised from the shoulder; a practice in athletics; as, to put the shot or weight.
Keep
To observe or celebrate (a holiday).
The feast of St. Stephen is kept on December 26.
Put
To convey coal in the mine, as from the working to the tramway.
Put case that the soul after departure from the body may live.
Coming from thee, I could not put him back.
Mark, how a plain tale shall put you down.
Sugar hath put down the use of honey.
I hoped for a demonstration, but Themistius hoped to put me off with an harangue.
We might put him off with this answer.
For the certain knowledge of that truthI put you o'er to heaven and to my mother.
Keep
(historical) The main tower of a castle or fortress, located within the castle walls.
Put
To go or move; as, when the air first puts up.
Keep
The food or money required to keep someone alive and healthy; one's support, maintenance.
He works as a cobbler's apprentice for his keep.
Put
To steer; to direct one's course; to go.
His fury thus appeased, he puts to land.
Keep
(obsolete) The act or office of keeping; custody; guard; care; heed; charge; notice.
Put
To play a card or a hand in the game called put.
Keep
The state of being kept; hence, the resulting condition; case.
To be in good keep
Put
The option to sell a given stock (or stock index or commodity future) at a given price before a given date
Keep
(obsolete) That which is kept in charge; a charge.
Put
Put into a certain place or abstract location;
Put your things here
Set the tray down
Set the dogs on the scent of the missing children
Place emphasis on a certain point
Keep
(engineering) A cap for holding something, such as a journal box, in place.
Put
Cause to be in a certain state; cause to be in a certain relation;
That song put me in awful good humor
Keep
To care; to desire.
I kepe not of armes for to yelp [boast].
Put
Formulate in a particular style or language;
I wouldn't put it that way
She cast her request in very polite language
Keep
To hold; to restrain from departure or removal; not to let go of; to retain in one's power or possession; not to lose; to retain; to detain.
If we lose the field,We can not keep the town.
That I may know what keeps me here with you.
If we would weigh and keep in our minds what we are considering, that would instruct us.
Put
Attribute or give;
She put too much emphasis on her the last statement
He put all his efforts into this job
The teacher put an interesting twist to the interpretation of the story
Keep
To cause to remain in a given situation or condition; to maintain unchanged; to hold or preserve in any state or tenor.
His loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal.
Keep a stiff rein, and move but gently on.
Put
Make an investment;
Put money into bonds
Keep
To have in custody; to have in some place for preservation; to take charge of.
The crown of Stephanus, first king of Hungary, was always kept in the castle of Vicegrade.
Put
Estimate;
We put the time of arrival at 8 P.M.
Keep
To preserve from danger, harm, or loss; to guard.
Behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee.
Put
Cause (someone) to undergo something;
He put her to the torture
Keep
To preserve from discovery or publicity; not to communicate, reveal, or betray, as a secret.
Great are thy virtues . . . though kept from man.
Put
Adapt;
Put these words to music
Keep
To attend upon; to have the care of; to tend.
And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden, to dress it and to keep it.
In her girlish age, she kept sheep on the moor.
Put
Arrange thoughts, ideas, temporal events, etc.;
Arrange my schedule
Set up one's life
I put these memories with those of bygone times
Keep
To record transactions, accounts, or events in; as, to keep books, a journal, etc.; also, to enter (as accounts, records, etc. ) in a book.
Put
Put means to place something in a specific location.
Put the dishes in the cabinet.
Keep
To maintain, as an establishment, institution, or the like; to conduct; to manage; as, to keep store.
Like a pedant that keeps a school.
Every one of them kept house by himself.
Put
Put involves causing someone or something to be in a specific state.
The news put him in a good mood.
Keep
To supply with necessaries of life; to entertain; as, to keep boarders.
Put
Put denotes the action of moving something to a position.
She put her hand on his shoulder.
Keep
To have in one's service; to have and maintain, as an assistant, a servant, a mistress, a horse, etc.
I keep but three men and a boy.
Put
Put can refer to expressing thoughts in words.
Put your thoughts into words clearly.
Keep
To have habitually in stock for sale.
Keep
To continue in, as a course or mode of action; not to intermit or fall from; to hold to; to maintain; as, to keep silence; to keep one's word; to keep possession.
Both day and night did we keep company.
Within this portal as I kept my watch.
Keep
To observe; to adhere to; to fulfill; not to swerve from or violate; to practice or perform, as duty; not to neglect; to be faithful to.
I have kept the faith.
Him whom to love is to obey, and keepHis great command.
Keep
To confine one's self to; not to quit; to remain in; as, to keep one's house, room, bed, etc.; hence, to haunt; to frequent.
'Tis hallowed ground;Fairies, and fawns, and satyrs do it keep.
Keep
To observe duly, as a festival, etc.; to celebrate; to solemnize; as, to keep a feast.
I went with them to the house of God . . . with a multitude that kept holyday.
Keep
To remain in any position or state; to continue; to abide; to stay; as, to keep at a distance; to keep aloft; to keep near; to keep in the house; to keep before or behind; to keep in favor; to keep out of company, or out reach.
Keep
To last; to endure; to remain unimpaired.
If the malt be not thoroughly dried, the ale it makes will not keep.
Keep
To reside for a time; to lodge; to dwell.
Knock at his study, where, they say, he keeps.
Keep
To take care; to be solicitous; to watch.
Keep that the lusts choke not the word of God that is in us.
Keep
To be in session; as, school keeps to-day.
Keep
The act or office of keeping; custody; guard; care; heed; charge.
Pan, thou god of shepherds all,Which of our tender lambkins takest keep.
Keep
The state of being kept; hence, the resulting condition; case; as, to be in good keep.
Keep
The means or provisions by which one is kept; maintenance; support; as, the keep of a horse.
Grass equal to the keep of seven cows.
I performed some services to the college in return for my keep.
Keep
That which keeps or protects; a stronghold; a fortress; a castle; specifically, the strongest and securest part of a castle, often used as a place of residence by the lord of the castle, especially during a siege; the dungeon. See Illust. of Castle.
The prison strong,Within whose keep the captive knights were laid.
The lower chambers of those gloomy keeps.
I think . . . the keep, or principal part of a castle, was so called because the lord and his domestic circle kept, abode, or lived there.
Keep
That which is kept in charge; a charge.
Often he used of his keepA sacrifice to bring.
Keep
A cap for retaining anything, as a journal box, in place.
Keep
The financial means whereby one lives;
Each child was expected to pay for their keep
He applied to the state for support
He could no longer earn his own livelihood
Keep
The main tower within the walls of a medieval castle or fortress
Keep
A cell in a jail or prison
Keep
Keep in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g.,
Keep clean
Hold in place
She always held herself as a lady
The students keep me on my toes
Keep
Continue a certain state, condition, or activity;
Keep on working!
We continued to work into the night
Keep smiling
We went on working until well past midnight
Keep
Retain possession of;
Can I keep my old stuffed animals?
She kept her maiden name after she married
Keep
Prevent from doing something or being in a certain state;
We must prevent the cancer from spreading
His snoring kept me from falling asleep
Keep the child from eating the marbles
Keep
Conform one's action or practice to;
Keep appointments
She never keeps her promises
We kept to the original conditions of the contract
Keep
Observe correctly or closely;
The pianist kept time with the metronome
Keep count
I cannot keep track of all my employees
Keep
Look after; be the keeper of; have charge of;
He keeps the shop when I am gone
Keep
Maintain by writing regular records;
Keep a diary
Maintain a record
Keep notes
Keep
Supply with room and board;
He is keeping three women in the guest cottage
Keep boarders
Keep
Allow to remain in a place or position;
We cannot continue several servants any longer
She retains a lawyer
The family's fortune waned and they could not keep their household staff
Our grant has run out and we cannot keep you on
We kept the work going as long as we could
Keep
Supply with necessities and support;
She alone sustained her family
The money will sustain our good cause
There's little to earn and many to keep
Keep
Fail to spoil or rot;
These potatoes keep for a long time
Keep
Celebrate, as of holidays or rites;
Keep the commandments
Celebrate Christmas
Observe Yom Kippur
Keep
Keep under control; keep in check;
Suppress a smile
Keep your temper
Keep your cool
Keep
Maintain in safety from injury, harm, or danger;
May God keep you
Keep
Raise;
She keeps a few chickens in the yard
He keeps bees
Keep
Retain rights to;
Keep my job for me while I give birth
Keep my seat, please
Keep open the possibility of a merger
Keep
Store or keep customarily;
Where do you keep your gardening tools?
Keep
Have as a supply;
I always keep batteries in the freezer
Keep food for a week in the pantry
She keeps a sixpack and a week's worth of supplies in the refrigerator
Keep
Maintain for use and service;
I keep a car in the countryside
She keeps an apartment in Paris for her shopping trips
Keep
Hold and prevent from leaving;
The student was kept after school
Keep
Prevent (food) from rotting;
Preserved meats
Keep potatoes fresh
Keep
Keep means to retain possession of something.
Keep the receipt for future reference.
Keep
Keep implies maintaining a condition or state.
Keep silent during the performance.
Keep
Keep can mean to continue doing something.
Keep walking until you reach the end of the street.
Keep
Keep involves adhering to a specified order or arrangement.
Keep your belongings organized.
Common Curiosities
Does “put” imply a responsibility to maintain?
No, “put” primarily focuses on the action of placing or positioning without implying maintenance.
Does “keep” imply a sense of possession?
Yes, “keep” often implies retaining possession or control over something.
Is “put” usually a one-time action?
Typically, “put” denotes a one-time, immediate action of placing or positioning.
Does “put” imply any continuation?
No, “put” focuses on the moment of placing or positioning without implying duration.
Can “keep” mean to continue an action?
Yes, “keep” can imply continuing a specific action or behavior.
Can “keep” refer to maintaining a condition?
Yes, “keep” can mean maintaining a specific condition or state, such as keeping quiet.
Can “put” mean to express something in words?
Yes, “put” can refer to expressing thoughts, feelings, or ideas in words.
Can “keep” imply a prolonged action?
Yes, “keep” often denotes an ongoing, prolonged, or repetitive action.
Does “keep” involve care or effort?
Often, “keep” involves a degree of care or effort to sustain or maintain.
Is “keep” more abstract than “put”?
Often, “keep” can have more abstract implications, while “put” is usually more concrete.
Can “put” refer to causing someone to be in a state?
Yes, “put” can involve causing someone or something to be in a specific state or condition.
Is “put” about moving an object to a location?
Yes, “put” generally involves moving an object to a specific location or position.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
