pinprick

American  

[pin-prik] / ˈpɪnˌprɪk /

noun

1. any minute puncture made by a pin or the like.

2. a negligible irritation or annoyance.

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pinprick British  

/ ˈpɪnˌprɪk /

noun

1. a slight puncture made by or as if by a pin

2. a small irritation

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verb

1. (tr) to puncture with or as if with a pin

Etymology

Origin of pinprick

First recorded in 1745–55; pin + prick

Explanation

A pinprick is what it sounds like — a tiny prick or hole created by something as small as a pin. People also use this word to represent something that is as annoying or irritating as the feeling of being pricked by a pin. The word pinprick can evoke the image of something so tiny that it is the size of a pinprick, like seeing the stars in the sky as pinpricks of light. And then there is the sensation of a pinprick that is annoying and quick. This latter meaning has a metaphorical use, like when something refers to a tiny problem as a pinprick in comparison to more weighty troubles. No matter how you experience it, a pinprick is tiny. Don't sweat the pinpricks in life.

Example Sentences

"It's a pinprick of light," replied Canadian crew member Hansen.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

He tailors his training to meet a targeted exertional threshold and monitors his lactate levels with pinprick blood tests.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 11, 2025

Captive-bred babies are adorably tiny, with delicate legs and pinprick eyes.

From Slate • Aug. 19, 2025

"Nowadays, we literally need a pinprick size amount of blood or any other cellular material to be able to get a full profile."

From BBC • Mar. 1, 2025

His laugh was a pinprick: not sharp enough to cut, but deep enough to sting.

From "Amal Unbound" by Aisha Saeed