# putt

/ˈpət/ (US) · /pˈʌt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/putt
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. golf stroke

verb · CEFR B2

to hit a golf ball gently across the grass toward the hole.

For teachers: to strike a golf ball lightly with a putter, typically on the putting green, with the intent of rolling it into the hole.

- She carefully lined up her shot and putted the ball straight into the hole.
- The professional golfer putted with remarkable precision, managing to save par despite the challenging slope of the green.

Usage: The verb is usually used intransitively or with the ball as the direct object.

### 2. engine sound

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal

to move slowly while making a soft, rhythmic 'putt-putt' sound like a small engine.

For teachers: to emit or move with a sequence of muffled, rhythmic percussive sounds characteristic of a small internal combustion engine.

- The old boat putted slowly across the lake in the early morning.
- We watched the vintage tractor as it putted down the lane, its engine struggling to maintain a steady rhythm.

Usage: Often used with directional prepositions like 'along', 'around', or 'past'.

### 3. golf shot

noun · CEFR B2

a short, gentle shot in golf made on the green.

For teachers: a stroke made on a putting green to cause the ball to roll into or near the hole.

- He missed a very short putt on the final hole and lost the tournament.
- After a brilliant approach shot, he was left with a simple three-foot putt to win the championship.

### 4. rhythmic sound

noun · CEFR C2 · Informal

the soft, repeating sound made by a small engine.

For teachers: an onomatopoeic representation of the sound made by a slowly stroking internal combustion engine.

- The steady putt of the lawnmower was the only sound in the quiet neighborhood.
- The rhythmic putt of the distant fishing boat provided a soothing backdrop to the seaside evening.

## Examples

- He needs to putt carefully to win the game.
- After a long drive down the fairway, she had to putt twice to finally get the ball into the hole.
- The professional golfer spent hours on the practice green, knowing that the ability to putt consistently under pressure is what separates champions from the rest of the field.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.