Meaning & use
punt
Last updated
To kick a ball that is dropped from the hands before it touches the ground, especially in football; or, informally, to postpone a decision.
See it in a sentence
The kicker had to punt from his own end zone after a failed third down.
The committee decided to punt on the budget question until next quarter.
A note on using this word
In everyday business or casual speech, "punt on" something means to delay or avoid making a decision, borrowed from the football sense of giving up possession strategically.
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Another way to use it
2. noun
A long, flat-bottomed boat propelled by pushing a pole against a riverbed.
They spent the afternoon floating down the river in a rented punt.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “punt”, then compare your use with the examples above.