verb
Common
insert
ihn-SURT
Insert (verb) means to put or fit something into something else. Example: “Please insert your card into the slot and wait for the machine to read it.”
verb
1
To put or fit something into something else.
"Please insert your card into the slot and wait for the machine to read it."
"Insert the key and turn it clockwise."
"She inserted a comment into the shared document."
noun
1
A separate printed sheet placed inside a magazine, newspaper, or package.
"A colourful insert fell out of the magazine and onto the floor."
"The parcel contained a small insert with care instructions."
"The Sunday paper came with a glossy advertising insert."
How to use insert
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo put something into something else, or a piece of printed material placed inside another item.
Common pairings
insert a coin
insert a card
advertising insert
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Word forms
- Plural
- inserts
- Third person singular
- inserts
- Past tense
- inserted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Please _____ your card into the slot and wait for the machine to read it.
Etymology
From Latin insertus, past participle of inserere, "to join or bind together" — in- plus serere, "to join."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “insert” mean?
The word “insert” means to put or fit something into something else. In plain terms, to put something into something else, or a piece of printed material placed inside another item.
How do you pronounce “insert”?
“Insert” is pronounced ihn-SURT (/ɪnˈsɝt/ in IPA).
How do you use “insert” in a sentence?
Here is “insert” used in a sentence: “Insert the key and turn it clockwise.”
What is the opposite of “insert”?
The opposite of “insert” — its antonyms — is delete.
What part of speech is “insert”?
Depending on how it is used, “insert” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “insert” come from?
The word “insert” comes from Latin. From Latin insertus, past participle of inserere, "to join or bind together" — in- plus serere, "to join.".
Is “insert” a common word?
“Insert” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “insert” have?
“Insert” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to put or fit something into something else.
Is it insert in or insert into?
The usual pattern is "insert something into something," as in "insert the key into the lock," because insert already implies inward movement. "Insert in" also appears and is not wrong, but "into" is the more natural and more common choice.
Is insert stressed differently as a noun and a verb?
Yes — the stress moves. The verb is stressed on the second syllable (in-SERT), while the noun, meaning a printed sheet placed inside a magazine or package, is stressed on the first (IN-sert), following the same pattern as record and permit.
What is an insert in a magazine or newspaper?
An insert is a separate printed sheet placed loose inside a magazine, newspaper, or package, usually carrying advertising, offers, or extra product information. It is printed independently and slipped in rather than bound into the publication.
What is the difference between insert and embed?
To insert something is to put or fit it into something else, often in a way that lets it be removed again, like inserting a card into a slot. To embed something is to fix it firmly within a surrounding mass so that it becomes an integrated part of it.
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