barrow point
A1Formal, Informal, Neutral
Definition
Meaning
A specific location, spot, or position; a particular detail or argument; the sharp end of something.
A moment in time; a unit of scoring; a purpose or reason; a feature or characteristic; a promontory of land; the precise meaning or essence of a statement.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
One of the most polysemous and frequently used words in English. Its core concept is of a specific, often sharp, location in space, time, or discourse. Context is crucial to determine its exact meaning.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor. In finance, BrE uses 'percentage point', AmE often just 'point'. In sports (football/soccer), BrE 'score a point', AmE 'score a point' (common) but also uses 'point' differently in American football. The verb 'to point' (a car, a fact) is identical.
Connotations
Identical core connotations of precision and specificity.
Frequency
Extremely high and identical frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
point at [object]point to [evidence/fact]point out [that-clause/object]point [object] at/towards [target]make a point of [gerund]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “point of no return”
- “to the point”
- “miss the point”
- “a moot point”
- “beside the point”
- “have a point”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Referring to a key issue in a discussion ('Let me address three main points'), a unit of change in an index ('The shares fell 50 points'), or a stage in a process ('At this point, we need investor approval').
Academic
Used to present arguments ('The author makes a compelling point'), to indicate precision ('the point at which the reaction occurs'), or as a decimal separator (e.g., 3.14).
Everyday
Common for giving directions ('It's just past that point'), discussing opinions ('That's a good point'), or describing sharp objects ('the point of a needle').
Technical
In geometry, an exact location with no dimension. In typography, a unit of measurement (1/72 inch). In navigation, a direction on a compass (e.g., 'point of sail').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She pointed her umbrella at the map.
- The evidence points to a systemic failure.
- I must point out that you are mistaken.
American English
- He pointed the car north and drove.
- All signs point to a successful launch.
- Can I point you toward the restrooms?
adverb
British English
- (Almost never used as a standalone adverb; 'point blank' is an adverbial phrase)
- "Point taken," she said. (idiomatic)
American English
- He shot the target point blank.
- She looked at him point-blank and refused. (idiomatic)
adjective
British English
- Use a point contact for greater precision.
- It was a point decision by the judges. (rare, technical)
American English
- The missile has point defense systems.
- The debate reached a point of absurdity. (noun used attributively)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We will meet at this point on the map.
- The pencil has a sharp point.
- That's a good point!
- The main point of his speech was about climate change.
- I don't see the point in waiting any longer.
- At that point, I decided to leave.
- The lawyer skillfully argued each point of the contract.
- The project has reached a critical point and needs more funding.
- Her research points to a correlation between the two variables.
- The speaker digressed from the central point, diluting the argument's impact.
- From a geopolitical point of view, the treaty is fraught with risk.
- The graph's inflection point indicates a major shift in market trends.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
A PIN is sharp and points to one specific number. A POINT is sharp and directs you to one specific idea or place.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDEAS ARE LOCATIONS ("Get to the point"), ARGUMENTS ARE JOURNEYS ("Let me make a few points"), QUALITIES ARE DIMENSIONS ("He has his good points").
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'dot' (точка как знак). 'Point' как 'смысл/суть' (the point of the story). Русское 'пойнт' (балл) — лишь один узкий контекст. 'Point of view' = 'точка зрения', а не 'вид точки'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect preposition: 'point on' вместо 'point at/to/about'. Confusing 'point' (место/аргумент) и 'dot' (графический знак). Использование неисчисляемого с 'a': 'He made a good point' (правильно).
Practice
Quiz
In the idiom 'a moot point', what does 'moot' mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Point at' is physical direction with a finger/object. 'Point to' is often metaphorical, indicating evidence or a cause. 'Point out' means to bring something to notice, to identify.
Primarily countable (three points, a valid point). In some fixed expressions or technical uses it can be uncountable (e.g., 'not much point', 'game point').
Frequently used to structure arguments ('first point', 'second point'), to refer to precise data ('the data point at 3 seconds'), and in phrases like 'case in point' or 'point of departure'.
It's an idiom urging someone to stop digressing and state the most important part of what they are trying to say.