verb

pinpoint

PIHN-poynt

verb

To identify or locate something with great precision.

"Doctors were able to pinpoint the source of the infection."

"The GPS pinpointed her exact location on the map."

adj

Extremely precise or exact.

"The surgeon needed pinpoint accuracy for the procedure."

How to Use Pinpoint

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo identify something exactly, or (as an adjective) extremely precise.

Common pairings

pinpoint accuracy pinpoint the cause pinpoint a location

more pinpoint comparative, pinpointed past tense, pinpoints plural, pinpoints singular, most pinpoint superlative

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Can you complete this real example?

Doctors were able to _____ the source of the infection.

From pin + point, literally "the point of a pin" — used figuratively for extreme precision.

point joint anoint appoint gunpoint viewpoint standpoint disappoint PowerPoint checkpoint needlepoint counterpoint