noun
Common
pointing
POYN-tihng
Pointing (noun) means the act of indicating direction or location with a finger or object. Example: “Pointing is considered rude in some cultures, so ask before you do it.”
noun
1
The act of indicating direction or location with a finger or object.
"Pointing is considered rude in some cultures, so ask before you do it."
"His pointing helped the lost tourist find the way to the station."
"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 old cottage needs new pointing before the winter rains arrive."
"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.
"Her essay lost marks because the pointing was so careless that whole sentences ran together."
"Good pointing helps a reader know exactly where to pause."
"Older manuscripts often used a different style of pointing than modern printed text."
How to use pointing
Learner’s notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- pointings
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ is considered rude in some cultures, so ask before you do it.
Etymology
Formed from point and -ing.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for pointing
See all rhymes for pointing →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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