POYN-tid
/ˈpɔɪntɪd/
pointed is pronounced POYN-tid (/ˈpɔɪntɪd/). Pointed describes something with a sharp or tapered end, or a deliberate, keen, or incisive manner. It conveys precision or emphasis, often implying danger or strong intent. In usage, it can refer to physical sharpness (pointed object) or to a sharp, pointed remark or style of expression.
Pointed describes something with a sharp or tapered end, or a deliberate, keen, or incisive manner. It conveys precision or emphasis, often implying danger or strong intent. In usage, it can refer to physical sharpness (pointed object) or to a sharp, pointed remark or style of expression.
"The stake had a pointed tip that could pierce leather."
"Her pointed questions left him fumbling for an answer."
"He wore a pointed hat that matched his sharp suit."
Pointed is pronounced /ˈpɔɪn.tɪd/ in US/UK/AU. Start with the “poind” sound: /p/ + /ɔɪ/ (as in buoy) merging into a clear /n/ before the /t/; the final -ed is pronounced /ɪd/, because the base ends with a /d/ sound from the stem. Tip: keep the /ɔɪ/ diphthong tight and land the /t/ crisply before the final /ɪd/. You’ll hear a light release on /d/ at the end in careful speech.
Common errors: mispronouncing the /ɔɪ/ as a simple /o/ or /ɒ/, producing a flat vowel; softening or skipping the /t/ leading to /ˈpaɪnəd/ or /ˈpoɪnd/; or not releasing the final /d/ as /ɪd/ in careful speech. Correction: ensure a distinct /ɔɪ/ diphthong with a controlled glide into /n/; articulate a crisp /t/ before the final /ɪd/ even when speaking quickly; finish with a clear /d/ or /ɪd/ depending on formality, not a silent stop.
In US/UK/AU, the initial /ɔɪ/ diphthong is similar but vowel quality may shift slightly: US tends to a tenser diphthong with a stronger onset /ɔɪ/, UK often slightly more centralized, and AU may demonstrate a more relaxed quality. All share rhoticity differences mainly in /r/ words; for pointed, there is no rhotic element. Stress remains on the first syllable: POINT-ed. The final consonant cluster /n.t/ can be realized with a light flapped or unreleased /t/ in rapid speech in some dialects, but careful pronunciation preserves /t/.
The difficulty lies in the diphthong /ɔɪ/ requiring a precise tongue movement from mid-back to high-front while keeping the jaw relaxed, followed by a clear /n/ and an abrupt /t/ before a final /ɪd/. Non-native speakers often blend /ɔɪ/ into /o/ or drop the /t/; others may not release the final /d/. Practicing with minimal pairs and explicit mouth positioning helps cement the sequence: /p/ + /ɔɪ/ + /n/ + /t/ + /ɪd/.
A unique feature is the final -ed realization. After a stem ending in /t/ or /d/ (pointed ends with -ed, the stem is point), the standard pronunciation is /-ɪd/. This requires a tongue tap or rapid vowel insertion, producing /tɪd/ rather than simply /t/ or /d/. It helps distinguish pointed from similar adjectives such as pointed, pointedly, or pointer-like words, where the final syllable alignment and voicing matter for natural, native-like speech.
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Pointed derives from Middle English pointen, from Old French pointier, from Latin punctare, from puntus ‘a point’ or ‘a point of a weapon’. The root is PIE *pedo- meaning ‘to aim or strike’ which evolved into Latin punctum ‘a point’ and French pointer ‘to point, pointed.’ Over centuries, the sense expanded from the literal sharp end of an object to the figurative sense of precision or emphasis in speech or behavior. In English, pointed acquired the metaphorical sense of sharp, keen, or biting remarks and styles by the early modern period, aligning with other adjectives formed with -ed denoting a quality or characteristic. First known use as an adjective in Middle English likely after the Norman conquest, with recorded usage variants appearing in the 14th–15th centuries as writers described pointed implements, weapons, and later, pointed language in literature and law. The transition from tangible sharpness to figurative discernment mirrors broader linguistic shifts where material attributes become descriptors of manner or intent. Modern usage retains dual senses: physically sharp ends and metaphorical precision or acuteness in communication.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "pointed" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "pointed"
-ted sounds
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