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put-on

put-on

4 7.5
A false act or story that tries to trick people, often to make them laugh
  • noun
  • /ˈpʊtˌɑn/
  • Informal
translation icon : farsa
  • After realizing it was all a put-on, the spectators laughed at how easily they had been fooled.
  • put on an act

So if you need just a good like funny put on in the background podcast, that's just light hearted Giggly squad.

Examples

  • The comedian's performance was such a convincing put-on that many in the audience believed his outrageous stories.

  • Harry, is this some kind of a put on?

  • Don't they put on a wonderful show?

  • I think people thought I was really joking and this was kind of a put-on.

  • Trick: This rumor about Bird's death is another of his famous put-ons.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • It makes me wonder if the whole thing is a put-on by the instructor to make a point.

    Blog text (2)
  • Her cheerful demeanor turned out to be a total put-on; she was actually feeling quite sad inside.

Synonyms

joke
vsput-on
1.0

Something said or done to make people laugh

can also be an imitation or story that pretends something false
prank
vsput-on
  • Informal
202 3.2

A playful trick done to make people laugh, often at another person

is a planned trick but can also be harmless fun
hoax
vsput-on
166 4.1

A trick that makes people believe something false

can be lighter and meant to amuse rather than only mislead
charade
vsput-on
76 7.4

A false show that hides what is really happening

may also be used as a light-hearted trick or mocking imitation
trick
vsput-on
  • Informal
74 1.6

A playful act done to surprise or make people laugh

can be a planned imitation or story rather than a simple silly act
parody
vsput-on
71 5.0

A funny copy of a song or film that makes fun of the original

is not limited to works and can be any trick or imitation
mockery
vsput-on
66 4.9

Making fun of someone or something by copying them to make others laugh

can instead aim simply to trick or to entertain without ridicule
pretense
vsput-on
  • US
65 6.1

A false claim or action to hide the truth

often focuses more on pretending for trick or for playful amusement
ruse
vsput-on
53 7.7

A clever trick to deceive someone

can instead be a simple amusing imitation rather than a strategic trick
antic
vsput-on
53 5.6

Funny, silly actions people do to make others laugh

may instead be a crafted deception or staged imitation to mislead
travesty
vsput-on
42 7.7

An unfair silly version of something that makes fun of the original

can be a simple false show without the strong absurd exaggeration
impersonation
vsput-on
30 5.7

An act of copying another person's voice and actions to entertain or trick people

is any imitation or story intended to trick, deceive, or amuse
simulation
vsput-on
25 5.8

A false show of feeling or action meant to trick people

is any imitation meant specifically to trick, amuse, or deceive people
spoof
vsput-on
16 5.3

A funny imitation of a film or book that makes fun of the original

covers similar imitation but also includes deceptive or serious acts
humbug
vsput-on
  • Archaic
12 9.1

False talk or behavior meant to trick people

includes playful or mocking pretences as well as serious deceptions
lampoon
vsput-on
10 8.0

A written piece that makes fun of a person or group by copying their style

may instead be a light trick or playful imitation without satire
hocus-pocus
vsput-on
9 8.1

Words or actions that trick people by seeming magical

covers wider pretending acts, not only those with a magical tone
caper
vsput-on
  • Informal
9 5.3

A playful act done to have fun

can also be a scripted act meant to trick or pretend
masquerade
vsput-on
8 6.8

A false appearance that hides someone's true feelings or plans

can instead be an overt amusing deception or imitation for laughter
deception
vsput-on
6 4.3

A trick that makes something look like real magic

is narrower, focusing on pretending or stories that trick or amuse
fakery
vsput-on
6 6.8

A thing or action made to trick people into thinking it is real

can be a playful staged act rather than material falsification
send-up
vsput-on
4 8.4

A funny copy of a person or movie that makes fun of their style

is a broader act that can trick or simply amuse by pretending
takeoff
vsput-on
4 6.3

A funny imitation of a person's voice or behaviour

may instead be used to trick or fool people as well
burlesque
vsput-on
  • Literature
2 8.7

A play or story that makes fun of something by exaggerating its style

is any pretending act that may aim to trick rather than only mock
mimicry
vsput-on
2 4.6

Copying someone's voice, face and actions to entertain or trick people

is a general act that may use imitation or other deceptive means
put-up job
vsput-on
  • Informal
1 8.5

A secret plan to trick people by making something seem accidental

is any act or imitation meant to trick, deceive, or amuse people
imposture
vsput-on
  • Archaic
1 9.5

To pretend to be someone else to trick people

can also be a harmless pretend act aimed at amusing people
sendup
vsput-on
1 7.9

A funny copy of a person or thing that makes fun of them

can also aim to deceive rather than only satirize
pasquinade
vsput-on
  • Literature
9.9

A short funny piece posted in public that mocks a person

is the wider act of pretending to fool or amuse people
personation
vsput-on
9.1

To pretend to be another person by copying how they act, usually to trick or entertain

is a broader pretending act that may be a story or imitation
dupery
vsput-on
9.9

Tricks that fool people to gain an advantage

may also include harmless amusement or theatrical imitation without gain

Antonyms

1.0

A fact that shows how things really are

365 1.0

Being truthful and fair in what you say and do

How Deceptive

fraud
577 4.0
hoax
166 4.1
put-on
  • Informal
4 7.5
to prank
  • Informal
16 2.9
to joke
476 1.0

Surface Forms

put-on singular
put-ons plural

Morphology

put-on = put (opaque) = on + put

The word is historically built from 'put' + 'on', but the meaning 'a trick or sham' is lexicalized and not predictable from the parts alone. [Postprocessing: moved 'on' from base_words to prefix]

Etymology

Put-on comes from the phrase put on, which originally meant 'to put on clothes' or 'to put on a show'. So a put-on is like a costume or performance you 'put on' for others, meaning a trick or imitation.