noun
Uncommon
punt
puhnt
Punt (noun) means a long, flat-bottomed boat that is pushed along with a pole, often used on rivers for leisure. Example: “They hired a punt to drift along the river Cam.”
noun
1
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
1
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."
2
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 notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- punts
- Third person singular
- punts
- Past tense
- punted
Fill the gap
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."
Related words
Rhymes for punt
See all rhymes for punt →Frequently asked questions
What does “punt” mean?
The word “punt” means a long, flat-bottomed boat that is pushed along with a pole, often used on rivers for leisure. In plain terms, a flat river boat pushed with a pole, the act of poling it, a type of kick in sport, or a gamble/guess.
How do you pronounce “punt”?
“Punt” is pronounced puhnt (/pʌnt/ in IPA).
How do you use “punt” in a sentence?
Here is “punt” used in a sentence: “They hired a punt to drift along the river Cam.”
What part of speech is “punt”?
Depending on how it is used, “punt” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “punt” come from?
The word “punt” comes from Latin. From Old English punt, from Latin ponto, meaning a flat-bottomed boat, related to pons, "bridge.".
Is “punt” a common word?
“Punt” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “punt” have?
“Punt” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a long, flat-bottomed boat that is pushed along with a pole, often used on rivers for leisure.
