pointed
Americanadjective
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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.
It reminded me of my grandmother, who when I pointed a video camera at her for the first time, she didn’t move because she was thinking I was taking a photo of her.
From Los Angeles Times
The company also pointed to its Italian ready meals, in-store bakery and deli as areas of growth.
From BBC
Alternative employment measures released Wednesday—including December payroll growth from ADP and the Bank of America Institute —pointed to a relatively stable end of the year.
From Barron's
Alternative employment measures released Wednesday—including December payroll growth from ADP and the Bank of America Institute —pointed to a relatively stable end of the year.
From Barron's
The board also pointed out that Paramount had a market value of $14bn, but was attempting an acquisition that required more than $94bn in debt and equity financing.
From BBC
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.
