noun
Uncommon
puncture
PUHNGKT-shuh
Puncture (noun) means a small hole made by something sharp, especially in a tyre. Example: “We had to stop because of a puncture.”
noun
1
A small hole made by something sharp, especially in a tyre.
"We had to stop because of a puncture."
verb
1
To pierce something, making a small hole, or to spoil or weaken something suddenly.
"A nail punctured the front tyre."
"The bad news punctured his confidence."
How to use puncture
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small hole from something sharp, or to make one — also used figuratively for deflating confidence or an idea.
Common pairings
puncture a tyre
puncture the silence
puncture someone's confidence
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Word forms
- Plural
- punctures
- Third person singular
- punctures
- Past tense
- punctured
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
We had to stop because of a _____.
Etymology
From Late Latin punctura, from pungere, "to prick."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for puncture
See all rhymes for puncture →Frequently asked questions
What does “puncture” mean?
The word “puncture” means a small hole made by something sharp, especially in a tyre. In plain terms, a small hole from something sharp, or to make one — also used figuratively for deflating confidence or an idea.
How do you pronounce “puncture”?
“Puncture” is pronounced PUHNGKT-shuh (/ˈpʌŋkt͡ʃɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “puncture” in a sentence?
Here is “puncture” used in a sentence: “We had to stop because of a puncture.”
What part of speech is “puncture”?
Depending on how it is used, “puncture” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “puncture” come from?
The word “puncture” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin punctura, from pungere, "to prick.".
Is “puncture” a common word?
“Puncture” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “puncture” have?
“Puncture” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small hole made by something sharp, especially in a tyre.
