punt
punt Lexical Profile
punt Game Scores & Validity
• noun
In football or rugby, a kick made by dropping the ball from the hands and kicking it before it touches the ground.
"The wind caught the punt and carried it deep into the opposing team's territory."
A long, narrow, flat-bottomed boat with square ends, typically propelled down shallow rivers using a long pole.
"We spent a relaxing afternoon gliding along the River Cam in a wooden punt."
British A speculative bet, wager, or attempt at something uncertain.
"Buying shares in the fledgling tech startup was a risky punt, but it eventually paid off."
The indentation at the bottom of a molded glass bottle, especially a wine bottle, designed to add structural stability.
"Sommeliers sometimes hold the base of the bottle by its punt when pouring wine."
• verb
To kick a ball after dropping it from the hands and before it reaches the ground (in football or rugby).
"Facing fourth down, the coach decided to punt the ball rather than risk a turnover."
North American To postpone, defer, or pass responsibility for a difficult decision or task to someone else.
"The committee chose to punt on the budget issue until the next fiscal quarter."
To propel a flat-bottomed boat by pushing a long pole against the bed of a shallow river or lake.
"Students often punt past the historic college backs during the summer term."
British To place a bet or wager on a horse race, sporting event, or speculative venture.
"He likes to punt a few pounds on the weekend football matches."
• Rhymes for punt
Word Origin & Etymology
The boating sense originates from Old English 'punt', borrowed from Latin 'ponto', meaning a flat-bottomed ferryboat or pontoon. The sporting sense of kicking a dropped ball emerged in 19th-century British rugby, likely from dialectal English words meaning to push or strike with force.