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Meaning & use

point

noun, verb·Everyday

Last updated

UK/pɔɪnt/
US/pɔɪnt/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    A particular idea, fact or opinion that someone states or considers.

    Grammar: Countable: make a point, miss the point.

    Patterns

    • make a point
    • the point of something
    • get to the point

    She made a good point about the budget.

    I see your point, but I disagree.

    Let's get to the point.

  2. nounsingular

    The purpose or use of something.

    Grammar: Often used in questions and negatives: what is the point of it?

    Patterns

    • the point of something
    • there is no point in doing something

    What is the point of arguing?

    There's no point in waiting any longer.

  3. nouncountable

    A unit of score in a game or contest.

    Grammar: Countable: score points, win by two points.

    Patterns

    • score a point
    • win on points

    Our team scored ten points in the first half.

    She won the match by a single point.

  4. nouncountable

    A particular place, position or moment in space or time.

    Grammar: Often used with a defining word: starting point.

    Patterns

    • at some point
    • at this point

    At this point, we should take a break.

    They met at the highest point of the trail.

  5. nouncountable

    The sharp end of something.

    Grammar: Used for the tip of a tool.

    Patterns

    • the point of something

    The point of the pencil broke.

  6. verbtransitive or intransitive

    To show where something is by holding out a finger or other object toward it.

    Grammar: Often with at or to: point at the map.

    Patterns

    • point at something
    • point to something
    • point something at someone

    She pointed to the door.

    He pointed his camera at the stage.

    Don't point at people.

Word forms

pluralpoints
third person singularpoints
past tensepointed
past participlepointed
-ing formpointing

Common combinations

make a point
He made a point of thanking everyone.
beside the point
Your age is beside the point.
point of view
From my point of view, it was fair.
point out
She pointed out a mistake.
at some point
We'll talk at some point.

Synonyms and how they differ

purpose
More formal; used for the reason something is done.
argument
A set of reasons, whereas a point is a single idea.
tip
The end of a long thin object.

Word family

pointed adjective
having a sharp end, or clearly critical
pointless adjective
having no purpose
pointer noun
a helpful hint or an indicating stick

Commonly confused: point or pint?

point vs pint

A pint is a unit of liquid measure and sounds different.

Practice

There's no ___ in arguing about something we can't change.

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