bullet point

Meanings

1. 1nouncountablecomputing

   A symbol, usually a small dot or dash, placed before each item in a list to mark it clearly.

   Grammar: Countable; you 'use' bullet points and choose their style in a word processor.

   Patterns

   • use bullet points
   • a round bullet point

   Use a round bullet point at the start of each item in the list.

   Change the bullet points to squares to make the list easier to spot.

2. 2nouncountable

   A single item written in a list that uses such symbols.

   Grammar: Refers to the content, not the mark: 'read the third bullet point'.

   Patterns

   • in bullet points
   • the last bullet point
   • present something in bullet points

   The last bullet point explains the deadline for applications.

   She presented the results in bullet points so the manager could scan them quickly.

   Please turn your summary into bullet points, one per chapter.

Word forms

Common combinations

in bullet points

Write your answers in bullet points, not long paragraphs.

present something in bullet points

The trainer presented the safety rules in bullet points on the first slide.

a list of bullet points

He sent me a list of bullet points to cover in the interview.

Synonyms and how they differ

dot

Names only the round symbol; bullet point also covers dashes and squares.

list item

Describes the content of one entry in any list, while bullet point suggests the dotted style.

Word family

bullet noun

The small heavy object fired from a gun; also the word behind 'bullet point'.

point noun

Here it means a single item or idea in a list.

Commonly confused: bullet point or bullet? bullet point or bulletin?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “bullet point”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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