pointe
Americannoun
-
the tip of the toe.
-
a position on the extreme tips of the toes.
idioms
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of pointe
1820–30; < French: pointe ( du pied ) “tiptoe,” literally, “extremity of the foot”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The women’s legs and pointe work flash during solo moments and intermix with the moves of their male counterparts during intricate duets.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 3, 2025
I anticipated receiving my ribbons — normally achieved when a dancer reaches Grade 3 in the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus — more than graduating to pointe shoes.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 11, 2024
I want her to read about Ingrid Silva, the Brazilian ballerina from the Dance Theater of Harlem, who, pregnant and in pointe shoes, graced the cover of Vogue Brazil in 2020.
From Salon • Aug. 4, 2024
The answer was on her Instagram later: Her pointe shoe had slipped off.
From Seattle Times • May 23, 2024
I was totally shocked and thrilled when I was accepted into the Level 2 ballet class...the first pointe class.
From "Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina" by Michaela DePrince
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
