punt: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Medium (C1-C2). More common in specific contexts (rugby/American football, boating, informal British/Irish financial slang).Informal (financial/betting meaning), Technical (sport/boating).
Quick answer
What does “punt” mean?
A long, flat-bottomed boat, propelled by pushing against the riverbed with a long pole.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A long, flat-bottomed boat, propelled by pushing against the riverbed with a long pole; also, to kick a ball dropped from the hands before it hits the ground.
As a verb: to casually speculate or invest; to delay or postpone dealing with something. As a noun: a bet or wager; a point in the Irish monetary system (now obsolete).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
UK: Strong association with recreational boating. US: Almost exclusively a sports (American football) term. The 'delay' sense ('to punt on an issue') is more common in US political/business jargon.
Connotations
UK: Leisure, tradition, academia (Cambridge/Oxford). US: Athletic strategy, deliberate avoidance.
Frequency
In UK English, 'punt' (boat) is common in relevant regions. In US English, 'punt' (kick) is widely understood due to sports. The betting sense is common in Ireland and informal UK.
Grammar
How to Use “punt” in a Sentence
[VN] punt the ball[V] punt on something[V] go puntingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “punt” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- We hired a punt for the afternoon.
- He put a tenner on the Grand National as a bit of a punt.
American English
- The punt was fielded at the 30-yard line.
- Selling those shares was a risky punt that paid off.
verb
British English
- We decided to punt along the Isis for an hour.
- I wouldn't punt on that horse if I were you.
American English
- The coach told the special teams unit to punt.
- The committee punted the controversial proposal.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Informal: 'The CEO decided to punt the merger question to the next quarter.'
Academic
Historical/Geographical: 'Punting has been a feature of the River Cam since the 19th century.'
Everyday
UK: 'Let's go punting this afternoon.' US/SPORT: 'The team had to punt on fourth down.'
Technical
Sports Science: 'The punter's leg speed and contact point determine the ball's hang time.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “punt”
- Using 'punt' as a general synonym for 'kick'. It's specifically a drop-kick.
- Using the boat meaning in an American context where it's unfamiliar.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but primarily in the context of American football. The boating meaning is largely unknown.
It's an informal British/Irish expression meaning to take a chance or risk on something, often a bet or an investment.
Yes, especially in US business/political jargon (e.g., 'to punt a decision' means to postpone dealing with it).
It is informal, originating from gambling slang.
A long, flat-bottomed boat, propelled by pushing against the riverbed with a long pole.
Punt: in British English it is pronounced /pʌnt/, and in American English it is pronounced /pʌnt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Take a punt on something (to try something risky)”
- “Punt on an issue (to delay a decision)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a PUNTer in football who PUNTs the ball, or someone in a PUNT on a river who might take a PUNT (bet) on a horse.
Conceptual Metaphor
RISK IS A BET/GAMBLE ('take a punt'), AVOIDANCE IS A KICK ('punt the issue down the road'), LEISURE IS BOATING.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would a British person most likely use the word 'punt'?