pointing
word · lemma: point
/ˈpɔɪntɪŋ/
POYNT-ing
/pˈɔɪntɪŋ/
POYNT-ing
Definition
The act of showing a person or thing with your finger or with something directed toward it. It can also mean directing attention to something or aiming at a target.
Usage & Nuances
Usually refers to a visible gesture: 'pointing at the screen', 'pointing to the door'. 'Point at' often emphasizes the physical gesture; 'point to' can also mean indicate evidence or suggest something. In many situations, pointing at people can sound rude.
Spanish: señalar - apuntarPortuguese (BR): apontar - indicar com o dedoPortuguese (PT): apontar - indicar com o dedoChinese (Simplified): 指着 - 指向Chinese (Traditional): 指著 - 指向Hindi: इशारा करना - उंगली से दिखानाArabic: يشير - يوجّه بإصبعهBengali: ইশারা করা - নির্দেশ করাRussian: указание - жест (пальцем)Japanese: 指さし - 指示Vietnamese: chỉ - chỉ raKorean: 가리키기 - 지시Turkish: işaret etme - göstermekUrdu: اشارہ کرناIndonesian: menunjuk - menunjukkan
Example Sentences
The boy is pointing at the dog.
basic
She kept pointing to the map.
basic
No pointing in the classroom.
basic
Are you pointing at me, or the guy behind me?
natural
I wasn't pointing fingers, I was just asking a question.
natural
The data is pointing to a bigger problem than we expected.
natural