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noun Common

pointing

POYN-tihng

Pointing (noun) means the act of indicating direction or location with a finger or object. Example: “The child's pointing at the sky drew everyone's attention to the rainbow.”

noun
1
The act of indicating direction or location with a finger or object.
"The child's pointing at the sky drew everyone's attention to the rainbow."
2
The mortar used to fill the joints between bricks or stones, or the process of applying it.
"The bricklayer repaired the crumbling pointing along the chimney."
"Fresh pointing gave the old stone wall a much tidier finish."
3
The system of punctuation marks used in writing.
"Older manuscripts often used a different style of pointing than modern printed text."

How to Use Pointing

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishMost commonly, either the act of indicating something with a finger, or the mortar between bricks in a wall.

Common pairings
repoint the pointing pointing at something crumbling pointing

Word Forms

pointings plural

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Test yourself on “pointing” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the Gap

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The child's _____ at the sky drew everyone's attention to the rainbow.

Related Words

Rhymes for pointing

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “pointing” mean?

The word “pointing” means the act of indicating direction or location with a finger or object. In plain terms, most commonly, either the act of indicating something with a finger, or the mortar between bricks in a wall.

How do you pronounce “pointing”?

“Pointing” is pronounced POYN-tihng (/ˈpɔɪntɪŋ/ in IPA).

How do you use “pointing” in a sentence?

Here is “pointing” used in a sentence: “The child's pointing at the sky drew everyone's attention to the rainbow.”

What part of speech is “pointing”?

“Pointing” is a noun.

Is “pointing” a common word?

“Pointing” is a fairly common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “pointing” have?

“Pointing” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of indicating direction or location with a finger or object.

What is the difference between "pointing" and "grouting"?

In building work, "pointing" refers to the mortar filling the joints between bricks or stones and the process of applying it, and it is used mainly on external brickwork and masonry. "Grouting" fills the gaps between tiles and is used on surfaces like walls and floors, so the two terms describe similar tasks in different contexts.

Is "pointing" a noun or a verb?

"Pointing" can be both. As a noun it names the mortar between bricks or the act of indicating direction, and as the -ing form of "point" it functions as a verb, as in "she is pointing at the map."

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial