2point verb
points; point·ed; point·ing 1 : to show someone where to look by moving your finger or an object held in your hand in a particular direction [no obj] ▪ “It's not polite to point,” she said. ▪ When I asked the child where his mother was, he pointed in the direction of the house. ▪ Pointing with his cane, the old man asked, “Whose dog is that?” — often + at ▪ It's not polite to point at people. ▪ All the kids were pointing and laughing at me. ▪ She pointed at the map on the wall. ▪ “It's time to leave,” he said pointing at his watch. — often + to ▪ She pointed to me and asked me to stand up. — often + toward ▪ He pointed toward the door. [+ obj] ▪ She pointed her finger at the door. — see also finger-pointing 2 [+ obj] : to cause the front or tip of (something) to be turned toward someone or something
▪ Point [=aim] the flashlight into the hole. ▪ They pointed their microphones in my direction. — often + at ▪ She pointed her camera at us. ▪ A gun was pointed at his head. 3 always followed by an adverb or preposition [no obj] : to have the end or tip extended, aimed, or turned in a specified direction
▪ We can leave when the minute hand points to 12. ▪ Stand with your arms at your sides and your hands pointing downward. ▪ The ship was pointing into the wind. 4 computers : to use a mouse or other device to move the pointer on a computer screen to a particular object or place [+ obj] ▪ Just point the arrow on the icon and click. [no obj] ▪ Just point and click. 5 [+ obj] : to show (someone) which direction to travel in order to reach a particular place : to direct (someone) toward something
▪ She pointed him to the school's library. ▪ Could you point me in the direction of the train station? ▪ If you just point me in the general direction, I think I can find it. 6 [+ obj] : to give a sharp end to (something)
▪ He was pointing [=(more commonly) sharpening] a stick with a knife. 7 [+ obj] : to repair (a wall, chimney, etc.) by putting new cement or other material between the bricks or stones
▪ The wall needs to be pointed.
▪ Point [=aim] the flashlight into the hole. ▪ They pointed their microphones in my direction. — often + at ▪ She pointed her camera at us. ▪ A gun was pointed at his head.
▪ We can leave when the minute hand points to 12. ▪ Stand with your arms at your sides and your hands pointing downward. ▪ The ship was pointing into the wind.
▪ She pointed him to the school's library. ▪ Could you point me in the direction of the train station? ▪ If you just point me in the general direction, I think I can find it.
▪ He was pointing [=(more commonly) sharpening] a stick with a knife.
▪ The wall needs to be pointed.
point an accusing finger at, point a/the finger at — see 1finger
point out [phrasal verb] 1 point out (someone or something) or point (someone or something) out : to direct someone's attention to (someone or something) by pointing
▪ He pointed his girlfriend out in the crowd. ▪ Could you point out the restrooms, please. ▪ We asked her to point out (to us) her country on the map. ▪ He pointed out the houses of famous people as we drove by. ▪ He pointed out the way to the restrooms. 2 point out (something) or point (something) out : to talk about or mention (something that you think is important)
▪ Let me point out [=mention] a few things before we switch topics. ▪ He was quick to point our mistake out. ▪ He pointed out the benefits/importance of daily exercise. ▪ As she likes to point out, she distrusted him from the beginning. ▪ I would like to point out that no one is perfect. ▪ He pointed out that there are several advantages to owning your own home.
▪ He pointed his girlfriend out in the crowd. ▪ Could you point out the restrooms, please. ▪ We asked her to point out (to us) her country on the map. ▪ He pointed out the houses of famous people as we drove by. ▪ He pointed out the way to the restrooms.
▪ Let me point out [=mention] a few things before we switch topics. ▪ He was quick to point our mistake out. ▪ He pointed out the benefits/importance of daily exercise. ▪ As she likes to point out, she distrusted him from the beginning. ▪ I would like to point out that no one is perfect. ▪ He pointed out that there are several advantages to owning your own home.
point the way
: to show the way to go in order to get somewhere
▪ She pointed the way to the exit. — often used figuratively ▪ We led good lives, and we must thank our parents for pointing the way. ▪ Their work pointed the way for future scientific research.
▪ She pointed the way to the exit. — often used figuratively ▪ We led good lives, and we must thank our parents for pointing the way. ▪ Their work pointed the way for future scientific research.
point to [phrasal verb]
point to (something) : to mention or refer to (something) as a way of supporting an argument or claim
▪ The prosecution is unable to point to anything that proves its case. ▪ I can point to several past accomplishments that show that I can perform the job well.
▪ The prosecution is unable to point to anything that proves its case. ▪ I can point to several past accomplishments that show that I can perform the job well.
point to/toward [phrasal verb]
point to/toward (someone or something) : to show that something is true or probably true
▪ All the evidence points to him as the murderer. [=all the evidence indicates that he is the murderer] ▪ Her symptoms point to diabetes. [=her symptoms suggest that she has diabetes] ▪ Everything points to a bright future for their company. ▪ The results from these tests point toward a different conclusion.
▪ All the evidence points to him as the murderer. [=all the evidence indicates that he is the murderer] ▪ Her symptoms point to diabetes. [=her symptoms suggest that she has diabetes] ▪ Everything points to a bright future for their company. ▪ The results from these tests point toward a different conclusion.
point up [phrasal verb]
point up (something) or point (something) up formal : to bring attention to (something) : to highlight or emphasize (something)
▪ The speaker pointed up the importance of improving public education. ▪ The destruction caused by the earthquake points up the need for improvements in construction standards.
▪ The speaker pointed up the importance of improving public education. ▪ The destruction caused by the earthquake points up the need for improvements in construction standards.
point your toes
: to bend your foot down so that the top of it and the front of your leg form a straight line
▪ She forgot to point her toes when she dove into the water.
▪ She forgot to point her toes when she dove into the water.
