phut

See also: phút and phu̍t

English

Etymology

Onomatopoeic.

Pronunciation

• enPR: fŭt, IPA^(key): /fʌt/
• (Northern England) IPA^(key): /fʊt/}

Interjection

phut

1. A representation of the sound resembling the release of a blast of steam or exhaust gas; a representation of the sound of a fast but small puff of wind.
   • 1956, Ian Fleming, Diamonds are Forever, published 1965, page 100:

     "Phut." Something whipped into the ground beside him and there was a pinpoint flash from the cabin. "B-o-i-n-g-g-g." There was another flash and the bullet hit the rail and whined off into the night.

   • 2007, Susan Gates, Beyond the Billboard:

     Then she heard the phut-phut-phut of an unfamiliar boat engine.

Noun

phut (plural phuts)

1. The sound made by a sudden release of steam or gas; the sound of a fast but small puff of wind.
   • 1980, Gillian Cooke, A Celebration of Christmas:

     Even an expensive cracker can go off with a phut, not a bang, and burst to reveal one paper hat, one tired motto and a piece of plastic jewellery.

Verb

phut (third-person singular simple present phuts, present participle phutting, simple past and past participle phutted)

1. To produce such a sound.

Derived terms

• go phut

Scottish Gaelic

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /fuht̪/

Verb

phut

1. past of put

Noun

phut

1. Lenited form of put.