noun

punt

puhnt

noun

A long, flat-bottomed boat that is pushed along with a pole, often used on rivers for leisure.

"They hired a punt to drift along the river Cam."

verb

To propel a punt using a pole, or (in sports) to kick a dropped ball before it hits the ground.

"The tourists took turns punting down the river."

"The kicker punted the ball deep into enemy territory."

To take a gamble or make a speculative guess or bet.

"He decided to punt on the risky investment."

How to Use Punt

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA flat river boat pushed with a pole, the act of poling it, a type of kick in sport, or a gamble/guess.

UK vs US

In British English, "have a punt" commonly means to take a gamble or a guess; the American football "punt" refers to the kicking sense.

Common pairings

go punting punt on something punt the ball

Word Forms

punted past tense, punted past tense, punted past tense, punts plural, punts plural, punts plural, punts plural, punts singular, punts singular, punts singular

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Can you complete this real example?

They hired a _____ to drift along the river Cam.

Etymology

From Old English punt, from Latin ponto, meaning a flat-bottomed boat, related to pons, "bridge."

Rhymes for punt

hunt aunt bunt runt count jaunt gaunt haunt grunt taunt blunt shunt

See all rhymes for punt →