pointed

American  

[poin-tid] / ˈpɔɪn tɪd /

adjective

1. having a point or points.

   a pointed arch.

2. sharp or piercing.

   pointed wit.

   Synonyms:

   epigrammatic, penetrating

   Antonyms:

   dull, blunt

3. having direct effect, significance, or force.

   pointed criticism.

4. aimed; directed.

   a pointed gun.

5. directed particularly, as at a person.

   a pointed remark.

6. marked; emphasized.

   An unusual turn of phrase, a well-placed emphasis, a choice of adjective, a pointed omission—all can turn an otherwise innocent sentence into a verbal dagger.

7. Heraldry. (of a cross) having parallel sides with points formed by two inclined sides on each end.

   a cross pointed.

---

pointed British  

/ ˈpɔɪntɪd /

adjective

1. having a point

2. cutting or incisive

   a pointed wit

3. obviously directed at or intended for a particular person or aspect

   pointed criticism

4. emphasized or made conspicuous

   pointed ignorance

5. (of an arch or style of architecture employing such an arch) Gothic

6. music (of a psalm text) marked to show changes in chanting

7. (of Hebrew text) with vowel points marked

---

Other Word Forms

• multipointed adjective
• pointedly adverb
• pointedness noun
• self-pointed adjective
• unpointed adjective
• well-pointed adjective

Etymology

Origin of pointed

A Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; point, -ed ², -ed ³

Explanation

Pointed things have a sharp end, like a cat's pointed teeth or the pointed tip of your #2 pencil . A pointed comment, on the other hand, is deliberately direct. You might buy stylish shoes with pointed toes or wear fake, pointed fingernails as part of your Halloween costume, but the second definition of pointed is even more common. A pointed remark gets right to the heart of the matter, and might even hurt someone's feelings. If your mom gives you a pointed look, you probably know exactly what she's thinking about.

Example Sentences

He pointed out that as salmon have suffered declines, California’s agriculture industry has been planting more nut orchards, replacing other field crops that are easier to leave fallow when water is scarce.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

She pointed out, not unkindly, that working alone is the arrangement I chose six years ago.

From Slate • Apr. 12, 2026

Eta pointed to the challenges she faces, with Union seven points ahead of St Pauli, who sit in the relegation play-off spot.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

But the stocks were getting an extra boost on Friday after Lumentum’s CEO pointed to sustained demand from hyperscalers and both companies received a fresh vote of confidence from J.P.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

I pivoted away, only to see two ladies with their heads together whispering as they pointed at me.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu

Related Words

• barbed
• incisive
• pertinent
• sarcastic
• sharp
• telling
• trenchant