point of view

[point uhv vyoo]

noun

1. a specified or stated manner of consideration or appraisal; standpoint: POV

   from the point of view of a doctor.

2. an opinion, attitude, or judgment: POV

   He refuses to change his point of view in the matter.

3. the position of the narrator in relation to the story, as indicated by the narrator's outlook from which the events are depicted and by the attitude toward the characters. POV

4. Movies.,  a method of shooting a scene or film that expresses the attitude of the director or writer toward the material or of a character in a scene. POV

point of view

noun

1. a position from which someone or something is observed

2. a mental viewpoint or attitude

3. the mental position from which a story is observed or narrated

   the omniscient point of view

Word History and Origins

Origin of point of view¹

First recorded in 1720–30

Idioms and Phrases

An attitude or standpoint, how one sees or thinks of something. For example, From the manufacturer's point of view, the critical issue is cost. This expression, originally alluding to one's vantage point in seeing a building or painting or other object, dates from the early 1700s.

Example Sentences

Yet unlike her debut, “What a Time to Be Alive” is all from Lola’s point of view — an interesting shift considering Lola’s inability to see her friends clearly.

From Los Angeles Times

It would be where all six of the regulars have different points of view on the same issue, and as you listen to them, you realize every one of them is right.

From Los Angeles Times

“I understand the fear might be real, but I would encourage anybody that is deeply fearful to explore some alternative points of view.”

From Los Angeles Times

Colapinto seems somehow to have got away with that one from the stewards' point of view.

From BBC

Giving the Toffees' point of view is Katherine Parlour of indie duo Picture Parlour.

From BBC

Related Words

• angle 
• attitude 
• opinion 
• orientation 
• outlook 
• perspective 
• position 
• standpoint