French Conversation · Level 88
60 words
French word
pointer
Pronunciation
IPA/pwɛ̃te/
Meaning
- verbpoint at ___
Example
Il pointe le panneau.
He points at the sign.
More examples
Elle a pointé du doigt l'erreur.
She pointed at the error with her finger.
Core concept
A directed line of attention lands on a place, person, object, or recorded time.
Common phrases
pointer du doigt
point with one's finger
pointer la souris
point the mouse
pointer quelqu'un du doigt
point at someone with one's finger
Similar words
montrer: To show a person or object using the hand or body.
indiquer: To indicate a direction or location.
désigner: To identify a person or object by pointing it out.
Definition in French
Orienter le doigt ou un objet vers un lieu ou une personne pour en signaler la position; dans un cadre professionnel, marquer l'heure d'arrivée ou de départ.
Word origin
French pointer comes from pointe 'point', ultimately related to Latin punctum 'point', and its meaning broadened from marking a point to indicating one.
Usage tips
- For clocking in or out, French uses pointer à l'arrivée and pointer au départ, rather than the English verb point.
Other meanings
- indicateverb
- clock inverb
Opposites
- cacherhideverb
- dissimulerconcealverb
Related words
- pointeurpointernoun
- pointageclocking innoun