pointed
Americanadjective
-
having a point or points.
a pointed arch.
-
sharp or piercing.
pointed wit.
- Synonyms:
- epigrammatic, penetrating
-
having direct effect, significance, or force.
pointed criticism.
-
aimed; directed.
a pointed gun.
-
directed particularly, as at a person.
a pointed remark.
-
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.
-
Heraldry. (of a cross) having parallel sides with points formed by two inclined sides on each end.
a cross pointed.
adjective
-
having a point
-
cutting or incisive
a pointed wit
-
obviously directed at or intended for a particular person or aspect
pointed criticism
-
emphasized or made conspicuous
pointed ignorance
-
(of an arch or style of architecture employing such an arch) Gothic
-
music (of a psalm text) marked to show changes in chanting
-
(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
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.
He smiled, he pointed, he gave a thumbs up.
From Los Angeles Times
Citi analyst John Godyn pointed out in a recent report that valuations for defense stocks have risen in line with growth in earnings and sales.
From Barron's
Radke pointed to recent conversations in the tech industry that suggest increasing enterprise budgets for artificial intelligence.
From MarketWatch
Housing commentators have pointed to the relative stability of prices in recent times.
From BBC
He wrapped himself in a hug then pointed to the “USA” on his back.
From Los Angeles Times
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.
