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

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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

See Examples For:

pinprick

"I have a slight pinprick of advantage," he told himself in the castle's diary room.

From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2026

Roman can focus starlight into an easy-to-cover pinprick with tremendous precision.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 28, 2026

"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

Newt yelled for the Grief Serum; a minute later Thomas felt a pinprick on his arm.

From "The Maze Runner" by James Dashner

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