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Punt: meaning, definitions and examples

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punt

 

[pʌnt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

sports

A kick in certain sports, such as rugby or American football, in which the ball is released and kicked before it hits the ground.

Synonyms

boot, drop kick, kick.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
punt

Used mainly in American and Canadian football when a player kicks the ball downfield without the intent of scoring a field goal.

  • He decided to punt on fourth down.
  • The team made a brilliant punt to gain yards.
kick

General term for striking something with the foot, can be used in various sports or everyday situations.

  • He decided to kick the ball towards the goal.
  • She gave the door a gentle kick to open it.
boot

Colloquial term for kicking something with considerable force, often used in sports or informal settings.

  • He tried to boot the ball out of the defender's reach.
  • She gave the car door a good boot to close it.
drop kick

Used in sports, especially rugby and American football, where the player drops the ball and kicks it right after it hits the ground.

  • He scored a goal with a perfect drop kick.
  • The drop kick requires precise timing.

Examples of usage

  • He made a perfect punt that landed right at the opponent's 5-yard line.
  • The team decided to punt on fourth down rather than risk a turnover.
Context #2 | Noun

gambling

A bet in which the outcome depends on chance, especially a bet against the bank, typically in poker or baccarat.

Synonyms

bet, gamble, wager.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
punt

In American football, it refers to kicking the ball to the opposing team, usually on the fourth down to gain field position.

  • The team decided to punt the ball to avoid losing possession.
  • He made an excellent punt that pushed the rival team back to their 20-yard line.
bet

Generally used in a broad context to mean placing a wager or being confident about an outcome, it can be informal.

  • I bet you can't eat that entire pizza by yourself!
  • He placed a bet on his favorite team to win the championship.
wager

A more formal term often used in legal or professional contexts; equates to making a bet.

  • The lawyer made a legal wager on the outcome of the case.
  • He wagered a significant amount of money on the stock market.
gamble

Implies taking a high-risk activity where the outcome is uncertain and often relates to more structured betting environments like casinos; can have negative connotations.

  • He decided to gamble his savings away at the casino.
  • Investing in that start-up is quite a gamble.

Examples of usage

  • He placed a large punt on the roulette table, hoping for a big win.
  • The high roller was known for making risky punts in the casino.
Context #3 | Verb

informal

To kick the ball in a certain sports context, especially in rugby or American football.

Synonyms

boot, drop kick, kick.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
punt

Usually used in American football or rugby to describe a kick where the ball is dropped and then kicked before it hits the ground. It can also be used informally to mean making a decision quickly without much thought.

  • The team decided to punt on fourth down.
  • He didn't know the answer, so he decided to punt and give a random guess.
kick

A general term for striking something with the foot. Can be used in a wide variety of contexts, from sports to everyday actions. If used informally, it can sometimes have a negative connotation related to aggressive behavior.

  • He kicked the ball across the field.
  • Make sure to kick the door shut behind you.
  • She kicked the habit of smoking after ten years.
boot

Commonly used in soccer (football in most countries) to refer to a powerful kick. It can also mean to start a computer system or, in British slang, to mean to drive a car forcefully.

  • The striker booted the ball into the top corner of the net.
  • I need to boot up my computer before the meeting.
  • He really booted that car down the motorway.
drop kick

Refers to a specific type of kick in rugby and some variants of football where the ball is dropped and kicked as it touches or immediately after it touches the ground. This term isn't used as frequently in casual conversation.

  • He scored a goal with an impressive drop kick.
  • She demonstrated a perfect drop kick during the practice session.

Examples of usage

  • The player decided to punt rather than attempt a pass.
  • He punted the ball far down the field.

Interesting Facts

Sports

  • In American football, punting is a crucial play where the ball is kicked to the opposing team, usually on the fourth down.
  • The player who kicks the ball is called a punter, and a good punt can change the game by giving the opposing team bad field position.
  • Punting originated in the 19th century and has evolved with rules that protect the punter from being tackled immediately.

Etymology

  • The word 'punt' comes from the late 19th-century sports jargon, possibly derived from 'punct', meaning to kick.
  • Before its current usage in sports, 'punt' referred to a small flat-bottomed boat used in shallow waters, linking it to movement and propulsion.

Pop Culture

  • In British slang, 'to punt' can mean to make a guess or take a chance, often used in the context of decisions or bets.
  • The term became popularized in various films and shows featuring football, highlighting the importance of punting plays.

Literature

  • Punting, as a metaphor, has been used in literature to describe moments of uncertainty where characters must make tough decisions.
  • Several novels showcase characters who 'punt' through life, symbolizing their adaptive strategies in challenging situations.

Psychology

  • The idea of 'punting' in decision-making suggests an approach where individuals take calculated risks rather than sticking to a safe choice.
  • Studies indicate that people often 'punt' important decisions when faced with too many options, leading to oversight or procrastination.

Translations

Translations of the word "punt" in other languages:

🇵🇹 calçar

🇮🇳 पंट

🇩🇪 Punt

🇮🇩 menendang

🇺🇦 понт

🇵🇱 punta

🇯🇵 プント

🇫🇷 coup de pied

🇪🇸 patada

🇹🇷 şut

🇰🇷 펀트

🇸🇦 ركلة

🇨🇿 kop

🇸🇰 kop

🇨🇳 踢

🇸🇮 brca

🇮🇸 sparka

🇰🇿 тебу

🇬🇪 დარტყმა

🇦🇿 zərbə

🇲🇽 patada

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,016, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.