noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Common

punch

puhnch

Punch (noun) means a hit made with a closed fist. Example: “He threw a punch and missed.”

noun

A hit made with a closed fist.

"He threw a punch and missed."

"The boxer landed a powerful punch to the jaw."

Strength, force, or impact, especially in a figurative sense.

"The speech lacked punch."

A tool used for making holes in paper or other thin material.

"She used a hole punch on the report."

A sweet drink, often mixing fruit juice with another beverage, sometimes alcoholic.

"They served fruit punch at the party."

verb

To hit someone or something with a closed fist, or to make a hole with a punch.

"He punched the wall in frustration."

"The conductor punched our tickets."

How to use punch

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA hit with the fist, a tool for making holes, or a fruity party drink.

Common pairings

throw a punch punch a hole pack a punch fruit punch

Word forms

more punch comparative, punched past tense, punches plural, punches plural, punches plural, punches plural, punches plural, Punches plural, punches singular, most punch superlative

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “punch” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

He threw a _____ and missed.

Etymology

From Old French ponchonner, "to punch or prick," related to Latin pungere, "to prick."

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

View more →

jab hook wallop sock clout strike blow box knuckle sandwich bunch of fives

Related words

take power hit computer box beat completely join

Rhymes for punch

inch bench conch lunch wench finch lynch cinch pinch bunch winch munch

See all rhymes for punch →

Frequently asked questions

What does “punch” mean?

The word “punch” means a hit made with a closed fist. In plain terms, a hit with the fist, a tool for making holes, or a fruity party drink.

How do you pronounce “punch”?

“Punch” is pronounced puhnch (/pʌnt͡ʃ/ in IPA).

How do you use “punch” in a sentence?

Here is “punch” used in a sentence: “He threw a punch and missed.”

What is another word for “punch”?

Words with a similar meaning to “punch” include blow, box, knuckle sandwich and bunch of fives.

What part of speech is “punch”?

Depending on how it is used, “punch” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “punch” come from?

The word “punch” comes from Latin. From Old French ponchonner, "to punch or prick," related to Latin pungere, "to prick.".

Is “punch” a common word?

“Punch” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “punch” have?

“Punch” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a hit made with a closed fist.

What is the difference between a 'punch' and a 'slap'?

A punch is a hit made with a closed fist, delivering force through the knuckles. A slap is struck with an open hand, usually flat against the skin, making it a different kind of blow.

What is the difference between a 'jab' and a 'punch'?

A jab is a specific type of punch: a quick, straight hit, usually with the lead hand. A punch is the general term for any blow made with a closed fist, so all jabs are punches, but not all punches are jabs.

What are common phrases built around the word 'punch'?

The figurative sense of impact appears in phrases like 'pack a punch', 'punch above your weight', and 'not pull any punches'. Each draws on the idea of force or effect rather than a literal blow.

Featured in

Vocabulary lists that include punch:

Words that end with H Words that start with P The 5000 most common English words

People also searched

take power hit computer box beat completely join