point
point — verb
- pointpresent simple I / you / we / they
- points3rd person singular
- pointing-ing form
- pointedpast simple
1. to lift your finger toward someone or something so another person looks there.
to lift your finger toward someone or something so another person looks there.
Nina pointed at the map and asked where the station was.
point at + visible thing
During the safari, our guide pointed to two lions near the river.
point to + thing farther away
The little boy pointed at his missing shoe under the sofa.
When the bell rang, several parents pointed toward the school gate.
- indicate
more formal and broader; not limited to using a finger
- show
more general; can involve words as well as gesture
- gesture to
stresses body movement, often without a finger
- hide
keeps something from being seen
文法句型
point at/to + person/thing
用法筆記
Usually followed by `at` or `to`. Distinguish from sense 2: here you use your finger or hand to show something, rather than aiming another object.
常見錯誤
2. to turn an object so that its end faces a person or thing.
to turn an object so that its end faces a person or thing.
The guard pointed a flashlight at the dark stairs.
point + object + at + target
Maya pointed the camera toward her grandparents on the porch.
point + object + toward + person
At the range, Carlos pointed the rifle away from the crowd.
The teacher pointed a red marker at the chart on the wall.
文法句型
point + object + at/towards + person/thing
用法筆記
The direct object is the thing being aimed, such as a camera, light, or weapon. Distinguish from sense 1: in this sense, the object comes right after `point`.
常見錯誤
3. if something points somewhere, its front, end, or sharp part faces that way.
if something points somewhere, its front, end, or sharp part faces that way.
The arrow on the sign points east after the bridge.
point + direction word
One corner of the table pointed toward the open door.
point toward + place
The church tower pointed straight up into the grey sky.
The dog's ears pointed forward when it heard the gate.
- face away
turns from the direction named
文法句型
point + direction word
point towards + place/thing
用法筆記
The subject is usually a long or shaped thing such as an arrow, corner, tower, nose, or ear. Distinguish from sense 1: no person is intentionally showing anything here.
常見錯誤
4. to repair a brick or stone wall by putting fresh mortar into the joints.
to repair a brick or stone wall by putting fresh mortar into the joints.
Workers pointed the old wall before the rainy season began.
building sense: point + wall
Last spring, Emma paid a mason to point the chimney.
building sense: point + chimney
The crew spent two days pointing loose bricks by the gate.
After the storm, builders pointed the garden wall again.
文法句型
point + wall/chimney/brickwork
用法筆記
Object is usually a wall, chimney, or brickwork rather than the mortar itself. Often replaced by the more specific verb `repoint` in modern building talk.
5. to shape the end of something so it becomes narrow and sharp.
to shape the end of something so it becomes narrow and sharp.
Grandpa pointed the stick with his pocket knife.
point + stick/tool end
Before class, Mina pointed three pencils for the art test.
point + pencil
The carpenter pointed each fence post before putting it in.
At camp, Leo pointed a branch to make a cooking skewer.
- blunt
to make an edge or point less sharp
文法句型
point + stick/pencil/post
用法筆記
Object is something that can be given a tip, such as a pencil, stick, post, or tool part. Distinguish from sense 2: here the object is reshaped rather than aimed.
6. to make a fact, cause, or result seem likely from the signs you see.
to make a fact, cause, or result seem likely from the signs you see.
All the wet footprints point to someone leaving by the back door.
point to + probable cause
Early test results pointed to a simple problem with the battery.
past tense: pointed to + result
These dark clouds point to rain before the football match.
Everything in the report points to human error, not bad luck.
- disprove
shows that an idea is not true
文法句型
point to + cause/result
point to + noun phrase
用法筆記
Usually followed by `to`, and the subject is normally evidence, signs, facts, or results rather than a person. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is about what evidence suggests, not what someone shows with a hand.
常見錯誤
point — noun
- pointsingular
- pointsplural
1. a single idea, opinion, or fact that someone says or writes.
a single idea, opinion, or fact that someone says or writes.
During the meeting, Hana raised one point about school lunch costs.
raise a point about [topic]
One point in the letter worried the parents in Kaohsiung.
a point in [text/report]
The judge repeated a point from the witness's written statement.
Her report includes a point about river safety near the bridge.
- remark
usually a brief spoken comment
- statement
more formal and often more complete
- detail
focuses on one item of information
- observation
often suggests a thoughtful comment
文法句型
raise a point about [topic]
a point in [text/report]
用法筆記
Often countable and followed by 'about', 'in', or 'from' when identifying one item in a discussion or text. Distinguish from sense 2, which is the overall message rather than one separate idea.
常見錯誤
2. the central meaning or message in what someone says, writes, or does.
the central meaning or message in what someone says, writes, or does.
I read the page twice but still missed the main point.
main point = central meaning
The film was funny, but its point was about lonely people.
Please get to the point before the bell rings.
Mina's story sounds long, yet the point is simple.
文法句型
get to the point
miss the point
用法筆記
Often appears in fixed phrases such as 'get to the point' and 'miss the point'. Distinguish from sense 1, which names one separate comment or fact rather than the central message.
常見錯誤
3. a reason, fact, or comment that makes one side seem right and deserves serious a
a reason, fact, or comment that makes one side seem right and deserves serious attention.
You make a strong point about safer lights near the station.
make a strong point about [issue]
Lena had a good point, so the team changed the plan.
The article's final point deserves careful thought from every parent.
Even the mayor admitted that Dr Lin's point was fair.
文法句型
make a strong point
an important point in [discussion]
用法筆記
Usually used when evaluating the strength of an argument, often with adjectives such as 'good', 'strong', or 'important'. Distinguish from sense 5, which is especially common in quick spoken replies like 'That's a good point.'
常見錯誤
4. the connection something has to the subject or purpose being discussed.
the connection something has to the subject or purpose being discussed.
The price of paint is beside the point here.
beside the point = not relevant
Whether Ben was late is not the point tonight.
not the point
Her travel story was interesting, but it was beside the point.
The exact date is beside the point in this argument.
- relevance
the closest match for connection to the topic
- bearing
more formal and often used in careful discussion
- importance
overlaps when something matters to the issue
- irrelevance
lack of connection to the matter being discussed
文法句型
be beside the point
not be the point
用法筆記
Mostly appears in phrases such as 'not the point' and 'beside the point' when judging relevance. It is less about the message itself than about whether something belongs in the discussion.
常見錯誤
5. a remark that you treat as correct or important when responding to what someone
a remark that you treat as correct or important when responding to what someone has said.
That's a good point, and we should call the doctor first.
good point = showing agreement
Emma had a point when she warned us about the wet floor.
You have a point, so let's check the map again.
Grandpa's point about saving water suddenly sounded very wise.
- observation
a neutral comment, without the same sense of agreement
- insight
suggests especially clear or smart understanding
- reason
broader and less tied to this spoken-response pattern
文法句型
have a point
that's a good point
用法筆記
Common in spoken replies such as 'good point' and 'you have a point'. Distinguish from sense 3, where the focus is the strength of an argument itself rather than your immediate agreement with it.
常見錯誤
6. a moment or stage that comes as something continues over time.
a moment or stage that comes as something continues over time.
By that point, the soup had boiled for twenty minutes.
by that point
At one point, the road became too narrow for buses.
at one point = at a stage/time
The project reached a point where nobody agreed on costs.
Talks reached a point where both sides asked for a break.
文法句型
by that point
reach a point where [clause]
用法筆記
Often follows 'at', 'by', or verbs such as 'reach' when a process moves to a new stage. Distinguish from sense 7 in another chunk, which names a physical place rather than a stage or time.
常見錯誤
7. a clearly identified spot in an area or on a map
a clearly identified spot in an area or on a map
A red pin marked the point where the hikers found the cave.
point where + event happened
Police blocked the point where the truck had broken through the fence.
This point on the map sits just north of the old train station.
We met at the point beside the bridge before sunrise.
文法句型
the point where ...
a point on the map
meet at a point
用法筆記
Often followed by a 'where' clause or a phrase naming its position on a map. Distinguish from noun/6, which marks a time or stage rather than a physical location.
常見錯誤
8. the exact heat or cold level where something turns into a gas, liquid, or solid
the exact heat or cold level where something turns into a gas, liquid, or solid
Water has a boiling point of 100°C at sea level.
boiling point of + substance
Butter reaches its melting point quickly in a hot pan.
Salt water has a lower freezing point than fresh water.
At high altitude, soup boils at a lower point than at sea level.
- critical temperature
a more technical term in science
- threshold
broader and less exact; not limited to temperature
文法句型
the boiling point of something
reach melting point
a lower freezing point
用法筆記
Usually appears after a word naming the change, such as boiling, melting, or freezing. With numbers, the common pattern is 'the boiling point of X is ...'.
常見錯誤
9. the reason for something, or the benefit it brings, especially when deciding whe
the reason for something, or the benefit it brings, especially when deciding whether an action is worth doing
There is no point in waiting outside after the shop has closed.
there is no point in + -ing
The whole point of the lesson was to help kids speak clearly.
the whole point of + noun
Maya asked what the point of a paper map was in 2026.
Paper copies had a point when the office internet went down.
文法句型
there is no point in doing something
the point of something
see the point of something
what is the point of doing something?
用法筆記
Usually singular and very common in patterns such as 'there is no point in ...', 'the point of ...', and 'see the point of ...'. Distinguish from noun/2, which is about the main meaning of what someone says.
常見錯誤
10. one unit used to count a score or show a change on a scale or in a price
one unit used to count a score or show a change on a scale or in a price
Our team won by two points after Lena's late basket.
win by two points
The share price fell three points before lunch on Monday.
fell three points
The nurse wrote down a five-point drop in his blood pressure.
Each correct answer was worth one point on the history quiz.
文法句型
win by two points
score a point
be worth one point
fall three points
用法筆記
Usually follows a number. In sports it counts the result, while in finance or measurement it marks the size of a rise or fall. Distinguish from noun/11, where 'point' is the rally or short phase of play itself.
常見錯誤
11. in tennis or squash, one exchange of play that ends when a player wins a score
in tennis or squash, one exchange of play that ends when a player wins a score
Chen saved two match points and won the next point with a fast serve.
win the next point
After a long point, both players bent over and caught their breath.
a long point
Lina lost the point when her serve hit the net.
The crowd cheered as Mei took the final point to end the match.
文法句型
win the point
lose the point
a long point
take the final point
用法筆記
Most common with verbs like win, lose, play, and take. In tennis reports, it names the rally that produces one score, unlike noun/10, which names the score unit itself.
常見錯誤
12. a unit for measuring letter size in print or on screens; one point is 1/72 of an
a unit for measuring letter size in print or on screens; one point is 1/72 of an inch
Set the title in 18-point type and the notes in 12-point type.
18-point type / 12-point type
This menu uses such a small point size that Grandma cannot read it.
point size
The designer changed the caption from nine-point to eleven-point text.
Our teacher asked for essays in 12-point font with wide margins.
- point size
the fuller technical phrase for this measurement
- font size
broader; refers to size in general, not only the point unit
- type size
common in printing and design contexts
文法句型
12-point font
18-point type
point size
用法筆記
Almost always appears with a number before it, especially in printing, design, and school formatting instructions. Common partners are type, font, size, and text.
常見錯誤
13. the narrow end part of an object, often sharp enough to pierce or mark.
the narrow end part of an object, often sharp enough to pierce or mark.
The point of the pin went through Leo's shirt.
the point of [object]
Aya tested the knife's point on a tomato skin.
[object]'s point
One point of the antler caught in the fishing net.
The pencil's point broke while Sam drew the castle gate.
- base
the wider or opposite end of something
文法句型
the point of [object]
[object]'s point
用法筆記
Usually names the end part of a long or narrow object, especially one that can pierce, scratch, or mark. Distinguish from sense 21 in another chunk, where point means a round mark on a map or line.
常見錯誤
14. one noticeable feature in someone's character or in the way something is made.
one noticeable feature in someone's character or in the way something is made.
Patience is one of Ms Wu's best points as a teacher.
one of [person]'s best points
One strong point of the bike is its wide seat.
a strong point of [thing]
Mika's strongest point in class is careful listening.
One good point about the flat is the quiet street.
- weakness
a quality that causes problems or lowers value
文法句型
a strong point of [person/thing]
one good point about [thing]
用法筆記
Often appears with adjectives such as 'good', 'strong', 'best', or 'weak' when comparing qualities. Distinguish from sense 9 in another chunk, which is about purpose or usefulness rather than a feature someone or something has.
常見錯誤
15. a thin part of the coast that reaches into the water.
a thin part of the coast that reaches into the water.
We ate lunch on the rocky point above the blue water.
on the point
A white house stands on the point south of the harbor.
the point south of [place]
From the ferry, Mia saw waves hitting the narrow point.
The path ends at a windy point with two old trees.
- promontory
more formal and less common
- headland
common in geography and coastal description
- cape
often larger and used in place names
文法句型
on the point
the point south of [place]
用法筆記
Used for a land shape on the coast, often with words about cliffs, rocks, or a harbor nearby. Distinguish from sense 7 in another chunk, which is any particular place, not specifically land reaching into water.
常見錯誤
16. the dot written in a number to divide the whole part from the smaller part after
the dot written in a number to divide the whole part from the smaller part after it.
Put the point after the zero in the number 3.05.
put the point after [number]
Nora forgot the point, so the price looked one hundred times bigger.
forgot the point in a decimal number
The teacher moved the point and changed 4.5 to 45.
Write each point clearly when you copy decimal numbers.
- decimal point
the full standard term
- dot
informal and only clear from number context
- separator
technical and focused on its function
文法句型
move the point
put the point after [number]
用法筆記
This sense is mainly used when reading, writing, or moving decimal numbers. It is often called a 'decimal point' in full, so a bare 'point' usually needs number context.
常見錯誤
17. the hard front parts of ballet shoes that support a dancer on tiptoe.
the hard front parts of ballet shoes that support a dancer on tiptoe.
The dancer rose onto the points at the end of class.
on the points
Eva checked the points before the rehearsal began.
check the points
Powder on the points kept the satin shoes from slipping.
The teacher asked Nora to land softly on the points.
- heel
the back part of the shoe
文法句型
on the points
check the points
用法筆記
Usually used in ballet and often in the plural because it refers to the toe ends of both shoes. Distinguish from sense 13, which is the sharp end of an object rather than part of dance shoes.
常見錯誤
18. a place where a plug or cable is connected to get electricity or another signal.
a place where a plug or cable is connected to get electricity or another signal.
Mina plugged the fan into the point by her bed.
plug [device] into the point
An engineer added a new point for the washing machine.
a point for [device]
The TV point in the bedroom is under the wall shelf.
Dad marked the phone point beside the kitchen door.
文法句型
plug [device] into the point
[device] point
用法筆記
Often follows a noun showing what connects there, as in 'TV point' or 'phone point'. Distinguish from sense 19 in another chunk, which names an engine part rather than a socket or wall connection.
常見錯誤
19. one of two small metal parts in some older car engines that touch and separate t
one of two small metal parts in some older car engines that touch and separate to let electricity pass.
The mechanic cleaned the points before trying to start the old truck.
clean the points
After wet weather, dirty points kept Marco's car from starting.
One worn point stopped the spark, so the old car shook.
The shop sells points for old cars that need them to start.
- contact
a broader term for a place where electricity passes
- breaker point
a more technical term in older ignition systems
文法句型
clean the points
replace the points
a point inside the distributor
用法筆記
Usually found in older ignition systems and often used in the plural as `points`. Distinguish from noun/18, which is an electric socket or charging outlet.
常見錯誤
20. a part of a railway line that can move to send a train onto another track.
a part of a railway line that can move to send a train onto another track.
The signal box operator changed the points before the freight train arrived.
change the points
Snow jammed the points and delayed the morning train to Leeds.
Workers checked whether the points were set for the east line.
A red lamp warned drivers that the points ahead were broken.
文法句型
change the points
the points are set for [track]
jammed points
用法筆記
In British railway English, this sense is very often plural: `the points`. American English usually says `switch` for the same track feature.
常見錯誤
21. a tiny round sign used to mark an exact spot on a map, plan, or line.
a tiny round sign used to mark an exact spot on a map, plan, or line.
A black point on the map shows where the spring begins.
a point on the map
The architect added a point beside each fire exit on the plan.
mark a point on the plan
The guide drew one point on the route line for each camp.
On the class map, each point stands for one village.
文法句型
a point on the map
mark a point on the plan
each point stands for [place]
用法筆記
This sense names the small symbol itself, not the real place. Distinguish from noun/7, which means the actual location shown on the map.
常見錯誤
22. one of the direction marks around a compass, such as north or west.
one of the direction marks around a compass, such as north or west.
North is the top point on this old brass compass.
point on the compass
The sailor checked the west point before turning the boat.
west point
A cracked compass card hid the south-east point.
On the classroom compass, Maya colored each point in red.
- direction
broader and refers to the way itself, not the printed mark
- cardinal point
a more technical term, especially for north, south, east, and west
- bearing
used for a measured direction rather than the mark on the compass
文法句型
north point
west point
point on the compass
用法筆記
Usually named with a direction word, such as `north point` or `south-east point`. Distinguish from noun/21, which is a map mark rather than a direction mark on a compass.
常見錯誤
23. a tiny round light seen far away, especially at night.
a tiny round light seen far away, especially at night.
A single point of light shone from the cabin window.
a point of light
Far below, bus headlights looked like points in the rain.
points in the distance
From the hill, we saw one bright point moving across the dark bay.
At dusk, the lighthouse light became a small point over the water.
文法句型
a point of light
a bright point
points in the distance
用法筆記
Common in the phrase `point of light` and usually used for a light seen from far away. Distinguish from noun/21, where the point is a drawn mark rather than real light.
常見錯誤
24. in ice hockey, the place near the front edge of the attack area where a back pla
in ice hockey, the place near the front edge of the attack area where a back player often receives the puck and shoots.
The coach moved Elena to the point to take long shots.
play the point
From the point, Noah sent a long shot toward the goal.
from the point
The defender held the point while the forwards chased the puck.
Late in the game, Toronto scored from a pass to the point.
- blue line position
a clearer descriptive term for the same hockey area
- the line
informal team shorthand in hockey talk
文法句型
play the point
from the point
at the point
用法筆記
Usually appears in hockey phrases such as `from the point` and `play the point`, often with defenders and shots. Distinguish from noun/25, which is a cricket fielding position.
常見錯誤
25. in cricket, a fielding place beside the batter, a little in front, where balls a
in cricket, a fielding place beside the batter, a little in front, where balls are often hit across the field.
The captain moved Arun to point before the next ball.
move someone to point
Nadia at point stopped a hard ball with both hands.
at point
Point stayed busy because the batter kept hitting balls that way.
Coach Singh kept one fielder at point during the practice match.
- fielding position
broader term for any place where a fielder stands
- cover
a nearby off-side position, usually farther in front of the batter
- backward point
a more specific variation set deeper behind square
文法句型
at point
move someone to point
field at point
用法筆記
Usually used after 'at' and with verbs like field, move, or place. Distinguish from noun/24, which names an ice-hockey area near the blue line, not a cricket fielding spot.
常見錯誤
26. a position in geometry, often named by coordinates, that has no size
a position in geometry, often named by coordinates, that has no size
On the graph, point B lies at two, three.
point B lies at [coordinates]
The two lines meet at one point near the center.
lines meet at one point
Ms Chen asked us to plot three points before drawing the triangle.
Each corner of the shape can be named as a point.
- coordinate
usually the numbers that identify the position, not the position itself
- location
broader and less technical
- vertex
only when the point is a corner of a shape
文法句型
point A
point B lies at [coordinates]
plot a point
a point on the line
用法筆記
Common in geometry, graphs, and coordinate systems, often with a letter or a number pair. Distinguish from noun/21, where a visible dot marks something, while this sense is the abstract position that mark stands for.
常見錯誤
point — adjective
- pointpositive
- pointercomparative
- pointestsuperlative
1. connected with ballet work done high on the tips of the toes.
connected with ballet work done high on the tips of the toes.
Today's point class left Mei's ankles tired but much stronger.
point class
The school starts point training only after students build leg strength.
point training
Lena sewed fresh ribbons onto her new point shoes before rehearsal.
After warm-up, point exercises made Owen's calves shake beside the mirror.
Our teacher says careful point technique protects the toes and ankles.
文法句型
point class
point technique
point shoes
point training
用法筆記
Usually comes before ballet nouns such as class, technique, shoes, and training. Common in dance contexts, and many teachers also use the spelling `pointe` for the same idea.