pointed
Americanadjective
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having a point or points.
a pointed arch.
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sharp or piercing.
pointed wit.
- Synonyms:
- epigrammatic, penetrating
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having direct effect, significance, or force.
pointed criticism.
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aimed; directed.
a pointed gun.
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directed particularly, as at a person.
a pointed remark.
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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.
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Heraldry. (of a cross) having parallel sides with points formed by two inclined sides on each end.
a cross pointed.
adjective
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having a point
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cutting or incisive
a pointed wit
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obviously directed at or intended for a particular person or aspect
pointed criticism
-
emphasized or made conspicuous
pointed ignorance
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(of an arch or style of architecture employing such an arch) Gothic
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music (of a psalm text) marked to show changes in chanting
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(of Hebrew text) with vowel points marked
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of pointed
A Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; see origin at 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.
Vocabulary lists containing pointed
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.
Appeared in the January 3, 2026, print edition as 'How One Genius Pointed Billions of People the Right Way'.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 3, 2026
Pointed bullets and revolver pistols were not invented until the 1830s; the Spencer repeating rifle, the technological edge that helped the Union win the Civil War, was not designed until 1860.
From Washington Post • Jun. 21, 2022
Pointed out that people will jokingly call the team Commies, Wright demurred.
From Washington Times • Feb. 2, 2022
The book, published by Pointed Leaf Press in November, has a foreword by potter and interior designer Jonathan Adler and an introduction by Los Angeles Times contributor David A. Keeps.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 6, 2015
Pointed out to the tourists all the red foxes and orcas and grizzly bears that were pushing out native species because it was warm enough for the new animals to live here now.
From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz
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.
