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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Point: Definitions, Common Uses & Example Sentences (3 meaning)

Meaning 1：sharp end (point)

point 🔊

/pɔɪnt/

The sharp or thin end of something.

sharp end 🔊

➕

/ʃɑːrp end/

This refers to the tapered, sharp, or narrow tip of a physical object.

📁 Category：Objects & Materials 🔖 Level：Elementary

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'punctum' (a prick, small spot) through Old French 'point'.

💡 Mnemonic

Point your finger at the point of the pencil to make a point in your argument and score a point in the game.

📖 Example

Be careful with the point of your pencil; you might poke someone. 🔊 Exercise caution with the sharp tip of your pencil to avoid accidentally poking another person.

🔗 Collocations

needle point – the very fine, sharp tip of a sewing needle

on the point of – at the very tip of something, often used metaphorically to mean 'just about to'

pointed object – an item that has a sharp or tapering end

🔄 Synonyms

tip (n.) – The extreme end of something, especially when it is narrow or pointed.

end (n.) – The furthest or most extreme part of something, which may be pointed.

apex (n.) – The top or highest part of something, especially one forming a point.

🚫 Antonyms

blunt end (n.) – An end that is not sharp or pointed.

base (n.) – The bottom support of something; the opposite of the tip.

🌱 Derivatives

pointed (adj.) – Having a sharp tip; (of a remark) direct and critical.

pointer (n.) – A stick used to point at things; an indicator on a dial; a breed of dog that points at game.

📖 Cultural Story

In modern sports culture, especially basketball, 'point' is fundamental. It's more than just a score; terms like 'point guard' (the primary ball-handler and strategist) or 'three-point line' define the game's rules and strategy. This usage perfectly illustrates how the word evolved from a tiny mark to a core unit of measurement in competition.

Meaning 2：score unit (point)

point 🔊

/pɔɪnt/

A unit used to measure your score or mark in a game, test, or competition.

Basketball scoreboard graphic explaining the point as a unit of score.

score unit 🔊

➕

/skɔːr ˈjuːnɪt/

A single unit used to count or measure achievement in a game, test, or competitive situation.

📁 Category：Entertainment & Sports 🔖 Level：Elementary

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

Each correct answer in the quiz is worth one point. 🔊 Every accurate response provided in the quiz earns a single unit toward the total score.

🔗 Collocations

score a point – to gain a unit in a game or competition

win by three points – to be victorious with a margin of three scoring units

bonus point – an extra scoring unit awarded for exceptional performance

🔄 Synonyms

mark (n.) – A unit for recording a score, often in academic contexts.

score (n.) – The total number of points achieved in a game or test.

unit (n.) – An individual thing used as a standard of measurement, as in scoring.

🚫 Antonyms

zero points (n.) – A score of none; no units gained.

🌱 Derivatives

pointless (adj.) – Having no purpose or meaning; (in sports) having scored no points.

Meaning 3：central argument (point)

point 🔊

/pɔɪnt/

The most important idea or central argument that you are trying to make in a conversation or piece of writing.

Main idea or central point concept visualized with a lightbulb diagram.

central argument 🔊

➕

/ˈsentrəl ˈɑːɡjʊmənt/

The primary idea, message, or purpose that is the focus of a discussion, presentation, or written work.

📁 Category：Language Evolution 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

I listened for ten minutes, but I still couldn't understand the main point of his story. 🔊 I paid attention for a full ten minutes, yet I failed to grasp the core message he was attempting to convey in his story.

🔗 Collocations

main point – the most significant and central idea

get to the point – to start discussing the most important issue directly, without unnecessary details

miss the point – to fail to understand the essential meaning of something

🔄 Synonyms

idea (n.) – A thought, suggestion, or concept that forms a central part of a discussion.

argument (n.) – A reason or set of reasons given to support an idea or theory.

thesis (n.) – A statement or theory that is put forward to be proved or maintained, especially in academic writing.

🚫 Antonyms

digression (n.) – A temporary departure from the main subject in speech or writing.

🌱 Derivatives

pointed (adj.) – (of a remark) direct and critical, clearly aimed at making a specific argument.