Word
pointy
US/ˈpɔɪnti/
UK/pˈɔɪnti/
Definition
adj. having a sharp end or tip. You use this to describe things like pencils, needles, or the corners of a table.
adj. having a sharp or tapered end. Often used informally to describe physical objects or features.
Examples
“Be careful with that pointy stick.”
“The cat has very pointy ears that twitch whenever it hears a bird outside.”
“The architect chose a design with several pointy spires to give the building a more gothic and dramatic appearance against the city skyline.”
Examples
simple
“Be careful with that pointy stick.”
contextual
“The cat has very pointy ears that twitch whenever it hears a bird outside.”
complex
“The architect chose a design with several pointy spires to give the building a more gothic and dramatic appearance against the city skyline.”
Usage
Often used predicatively after 'look' or 'feel'.
Etymology
From point + -y.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/pointy