Pronunciation: [pˈʌnt] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "punt" in English can be traced back to its Old English root, "pount." The IPA phonetic transcription of this word is /pʌnt/. The first sound, /p/, is a voiceless bilabial plosive, followed by the vowel sound /ʌ/. The final sound, /nt/, is a sequence of a nasal sound /n/ and a voiceless alveolar plosive /t/. "Punt" can refer to a type of boat or a type of kick in sports like football.
Punt can be used as a noun or a verb, in different contexts, and carries various meanings. As a noun, punt refers to a long, narrow flat-bottomed boat, often with square ends, steered using a long pole called a punt pole. This type of boat is commonly found in shallow waters or rivers. Additionally, it can also denote a recreational activity where people use a punt to navigate on calm waters or engage in punting races.
As a verb, punt has a diverse range of meanings. Firstly, it can signify the act of propelling or moving a boat forward by pushing the bottom or edge of the riverbed with a long pole. Secondly, punt is often used in the context of American football, describing a kick made when a player drops the ball and kicks it before it touches the ground. This kick is typically used to gain distance or change field position. Moreover, punt can refer to taking a chance or making a speculative bet or investment, often involving risk and uncertainty, as in “He decided to punt on that risky business opportunity.” It can also mean to postpone or delay a decision or action, particularly when faced with uncertainty.
In summary, punt can refer to a shallow-bottomed boat used for navigating calm waters, the act of pushing a boat with a pole, a kick in American football, and taking a chance or delaying a decision.
• A flat bottomed boat, used for fishing in shallow waters.
• To play at basset, faro, or ombre against the banker or dealer.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "punt" has various origins and etymologies depending on its different meanings.
1. As a noun, "punt" refers to a flat-bottomed boat used for transportation in shallow waters. Its etymology can be traced back to the Latin word "pontonem", meaning "ferryboat", which was later borrowed into Old English as "punt". This sense of the word dates back to the 17th century.
2. As a verb, "punt" means to propel or move the aforementioned boat using a long pole or "punt pole". This sense of the word has a different etymology. It comes from the Old English word "puntian" which means "to push, to thrust", and is related to Middle Dutch "punter", meaning "long, flat-bottomed boat".
