pinpoint
/ˈpɪnpɔɪnt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈpɪnpɔɪnt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈpin-ˌpȯint/ (ame, mw) · /ˈpɪn.pɔɪnt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈpɪn.pɔɪnt/ (ame, ipa)
pinpoint — verb
- pinpointpresent simple I / you / we / they
- pinpointshe / she / it
- pinpointedpast simple
- pinpointing-ing form
1. To locate a person, object, or event with great precision in physical space or o
To locate a person, object, or event with great precision in physical space or on a timeline, often by using instruments or careful inspection.
The rescue team pinpointed the hiker's position to within a few metres.
pinpoint + noun phrase for exact location
Doctors pinpointed the source of the internal bleeding using an ultrasound machine.
Seismologists pinpointed the earthquake's centre about thirty kilometres off the coast of Japan.
Kim managed to pinpoint the exact second when the car engine began to fail.
- locate
more general; does not emphasise extreme accuracy
- zero in on
informal; suggests gradually narrowing focus
- home in on
suggests directed movement toward a target
文法句型
pinpoint + noun phrase (location/position/time)
用法筆記
Object is typically a physical location, a time, or a source — something that can be located in space or on a timeline.
常見錯誤
2. To identify and specify the precise cause, nature, or details of a problem, situ
To identify and specify the precise cause, nature, or details of a problem, situation, or abstract matter that is not obvious.
Investigators are trying to pinpoint the cause of the factory explosion that happened last night.
pinpoint the cause of [something]
Maria found it hard to pinpoint why she felt uneasy about the new job offer.
pinpoint + why-clause
The teacher pinpointed the areas where each student needed the most improvement.
Ana pinpointed rising energy costs as the main reason for the price increase.
- overlook
to fail to notice something important
文法句型
pinpoint + what/why/where + clause
pinpoint + noun phrase (cause, reason, problem)
用法筆記
Subject is often a person, investigation, or analysis. The object is typically abstract (cause, reason, issue, difference) rather than a physical thing.
常見錯誤
pinpoint — noun
- pinpointsingular
- pinpointsplural
1. An extremely small area or dot of light, colour, or substance that is barely vis
An extremely small area or dot of light, colour, or substance that is barely visible to the eye.
A tiny pinpoint of light appeared far away in the dark tunnel.
pinpoint of light
The rash started as small red pinpoints on her arms before spreading to her back.
Under the microscope, the rock sample showed glittering pinpoints of gold dust.
Fatima noticed a pinpoint of blood on her shirt where a thorn pricked her shoulder.
文法句型
pinpoint of + noun (light, colour, blood, etc.)
用法筆記
Often used with 'of' to specify what the dot consists of (light, colour, blood, metal, etc.). Frequently appears in descriptions of small visual details.
2. The very fine, sharp end of a pin or any similarly minuscule pointed tip on an o
The very fine, sharp end of a pin or any similarly minuscule pointed tip on an object.
The seamstress could hold a pinpoint steady between her fingers without a single tremor.
literal meaning — the point of a pin
Engravers use tools as fine as a pinpoint to carve tiny letters into jewellery.
Under a magnifying glass, the pinpoint of the needle looked thick and uneven.
The map was so detailed that each house appeared as a single pinpoint.
文法句型
the pinpoint of + noun
用法筆記
Historically the earliest meaning of the word. Today it appears mostly in literal descriptions of sewing or craft tools, or metaphorically to contrast extreme smallness against something larger.
pinpoint — adjective
- pinpointpositive
- more pinpointcomparative
- most pinpointsuperlative
1. Marked by such a high degree of accuracy that even the smallest detail is correc
Marked by such a high degree of accuracy that even the smallest detail is correct and no error is made.
The surgeon used a laser to make a pinpoint cut in the patient's cornea.
pinpoint + noun — extremely precise
GPS technology now provides pinpoint accuracy for drivers even in remote mountain areas.
collocation: pinpoint accuracy
The rescue operation required pinpoint coordination between the navy and the air force units.
The actor's pinpoint timing brought him on stage just as the music peaked.
The drone dropped its package with pinpoint precision onto the deck of the moving ship.
- precise
less emphatic than 'pinpoint'; a common alternative for any exact measurement
- exact
broader in meaning; describes correctness in many contexts
- meticulous
focuses on careful attention to detail rather than on the result of accuracy
文法句型
pinpoint + noun (accuracy, precision, timing, control)
用法筆記
Attributive only — used directly before a noun. Cannot be used predicatively (❌ 'The accuracy is pinpoint'). Commonly modifies nouns like 'accuracy', 'timing', 'precision', 'control', and 'coordination'.