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

Wagner carries a purple cooking thermometer—the kind with the long pointy needle that you might use to check on your steak—to check for optimal chill.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

Most fruity martinis are actually daiquiri variations in pointy glasses.

From Salon • Nov. 30, 2025

This bold diagonal, cut through the prim Quaker street grid, produced a great many awkwardly shaped blocks, including the pointy trapezoid between the Parkway and the Vine Street Expressway that houses Calder Gardens.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 24, 2025

The vinyl faces are attached to plush bodies, and come with a signature look - pointy ears, big eyes and a mischievous grin showing exactly nine teeth.

From BBC • Jun. 19, 2025

There were girls with ears that were long and pointy, and they wore flowers for earrings.

From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova