pointy

American  

[poin-tee] / ˈpɔɪn ti /

adjective

pointier, pointiest

1. having a comparatively sharp point.

   The elf had pointy little ears.

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pointy British  

/ ˈpɔɪntɪ /

adjective

1. having a sharp point or points; pointed

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Etymology

Origin of pointy

First recorded in 1635–45; point + -y ¹

Explanation

Anything that's pointy has a sharp, tapered end, like a pair of high-heeled shoes with uncomfortably pointy toes. Some pointy things are sharp enough to be dangerous, like kitchen knives, swords, and daggers, all of which taper to an extremely pointy tip. But plenty of objects you'd also describe as pointy aren't quite so treacherous, from your cat's pointy ears to your sister's witch hat she wears every year on Halloween. Pointy is from the Latin pungere, "to pierce." In the 20th century, calling an overly intellectual person "pointy-headed" was a common insult.

Example Sentences

They’ve stood the longtime food pyramid on its pointy head, instead promoting lots of meat and whole milk foods over a healthier diet grounded in whole grains and vegetables.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 14, 2026

Most fruity martinis are actually daiquiri variations in pointy glasses.

From Salon • Nov. 30, 2025

When they come out of the box, balls have a slick coating with ultra pointy ends.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 6, 2025

When asked whether they were pointy, she replied: "To me they're not pointy, they're like, circle."

From BBC • Aug. 29, 2025

Everyone stopped shucking for a moment, to watch as Ess stuck out her pointy pink tongue and touched the erster with it tentatively.

From "Orphan Island" by Laurel Snyder