Meaning & use

punter

noun·Everyday

Last updated

In British informal usage, an ordinary customer or gambler; in American football, a player who kicks the ball to the opposing team.

See it in a sentence

The betting shop was full of punters watching the afternoon races.

The team's punter boomed a 55-yard kick to pin the opponent deep in their own territory.

A note on using this word

The meaning depends heavily on region and context: in the UK, it broadly means "customer" or "bettor," while in the US it refers specifically to a football special-teams position.

Words with a similar meaning

gamblerbettor

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Another way to use it

2. noun

In British English, an ordinary customer or member of the public.

The shop owner said most punters just browse without buying anything.

Make it your own

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