noun
Uncommon
pointer
POYN-tuh
Pointer (noun) means a useful tip or piece of advice. Example: “She gave me a few pointers on how to improve my resume.”
noun
1
A useful tip or piece of advice.
"She gave me a few pointers on how to improve my resume."
"My uncle offered a couple of pointers before my first job interview."
"Do you have any pointers for someone learning to bake bread?"
2
A rod or object used to indicate something, such as on a chart or screen.
"He used a laser pointer to highlight the chart during his presentation."
"The teacher tapped the map with a wooden pointer."
"Please hand me the pointer so I can show everyone the diagram."
3
A breed of hunting dog trained to signal the location of game by standing still and facing toward it.
"Their pointer froze in the field the moment it caught the scent."
"The hunter trusted his pointer to find the birds in the long grass."
"A well-trained pointer will stay perfectly still with one paw raised."
4
In computing, a variable that stores the memory address of another value.
"The bug was caused by a pointer referencing memory that had already been freed."
"In this language, a pointer holds the address where the data is stored."
"Our lecturer explained how to follow a pointer to reach the value it refers to."
How to use pointer
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA helpful tip, a device or dog that indicates direction, or (in programming) a variable holding a memory address.
Common pairings
helpful pointer
laser pointer
null pointer
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Word forms
- Plural
- pointers
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She gave me a few _____ on how to improve my resume.
Etymology
From point + -er.
Related words
Rhymes for pointer
See all rhymes for pointer →Frequently asked questions
What does “pointer” mean?
The word “pointer” means a useful tip or piece of advice. In plain terms, a helpful tip, a device or dog that indicates direction, or (in programming) a variable holding a memory address.
How do you pronounce “pointer”?
“Pointer” is pronounced POYN-tuh (/ˈpɔɪn.təɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “pointer” in a sentence?
Here is “pointer” used in a sentence: “She gave me a few pointers on how to improve my resume.”
What part of speech is “pointer”?
“Pointer” is a noun.
Is “pointer” a common word?
“Pointer” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “pointer” have?
“Pointer” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a useful tip or piece of advice.
What is the difference between a pointer and a cursor?
A pointer is a physical rod or object used to indicate something on a chart or screen, while a cursor is the on-screen marker controlled by a mouse or keyboard. In casual speech people sometimes use "pointer" for the on-screen arrow too, but strictly the terms describe different things.
What is a pointer in computing compared to the dog breed?
In programming, a pointer is a variable that stores the memory address of another value rather than the value itself. This is unrelated to the pointer dog breed, which is trained to signal the location of game by standing still and facing toward it.
Is a "pointer" the same as a "tip"?
Yes, in everyday speech a pointer often means a useful tip or piece of advice, such as giving someone a pointer on how to improve. This sense is distinct from the physical or technical meanings of the word.
