pointer

noun

ˈpȯin-tər How to pronounce pointer (audio)
Definition of pointernext
1
as in needle
an arrow-shaped piece on a dial or scale for registering information the pointer on my bathroom scale must be stuck—I know I lost weight

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in tip
a piece of advice or useful information especially from an expert the instructor gave me a few pointers but otherwise let me do the cooking by myself

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pointer Bueckers and Ogunbowale each had three of Dallas’ 11 3-pointers. — ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026 Clark made a career-high eight of Indiana’s franchise-record 18 3-pointers. — Jay Cohen, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026 Clark made a career-high eight of Indiana's franchise-record 18 3-pointers. — CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026 Though the Valkyries attempts more 3-pointers than any other team, their centers are not shooting threats. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pointer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pointer
  1. needle
  2. tip
  3. indicator
  4. index
Noun
  • While the ban lasted only three weeks, both the number of weekly visits to the needle exchange and the number of naloxone kits distributed were lower than expected for at least the 20 weeks after the ban was overturned.
    — Paul Christine, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Simply encouraging students to put away their phones or teaching them better sleep habits wouldn’t move the needle either.
    — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of needle
Noun
  • Anyone with information related to the cases can contact the police department at 510-238-3821 or the tip line at 510-238-7950.
    — Jason Green, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • According to the criminal complaint, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received several tips regarding Eyde’s internet activity on Discord, a messaging application.
    — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of tip
Noun
  • Relative strength index Another momentum indicator is the RSI, or relative strength index.
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026
  • First published in 2003, the ARWU relies on six indicators of academic and research performance to evaluate universities around the world.
    — Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of indicator
Noun
  • Temperatures are slightly lower, but the heat indices could climb to 102 degrees in the interior and higher on the coast.
    — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Among the effects of index funds was to increase the focus of investors on fees and expenses.
    — Bob Carlson, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of index

Browse Nearby Words

pointed (up)
pointer
pointers
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pointer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pointer. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on pointer

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pointer

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of kith

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 28

Why do we say 'break a leg'?
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All