A pointer is a piece of advice or information which helps you to understand a situation or to find a way of making progress.
I hope at least my daughter was able to offer you some useful pointers.
Here are a few pointers to help you make a choice.
Synonyms: hint, tip, suggestion, warning More Synonyms of pointer
2. countable noun
A pointerto something suggests that it exists or gives an idea of what it is like.
[mainly British]
If what we saw on Saturday is a pointer, his luck has changed for the better.
Sunday's elections should be a pointer to the public mood. [+ to]
Synonyms: indication, lead, sign, evidence More Synonyms of pointer
3. countable noun
A pointer is a long stick that is used to point at something such as a large chart or diagram when explaining something to people.
She tapped on the world map with her pointer.
Synonyms: stick, pole, rod, cane More Synonyms of pointer
4. countable noun
The pointer on a measuring instrument is the long, thin piece of metal that points to the numbers.
More Synonyms of pointer
pointer in British English
(ˈpɔɪntə)
noun
1.
a person or thing that points
2.
an indicator on a measuring instrument
3.
a long rod or cane used by a lecturer to point to parts of a map, blackboard, etc
4.
one of a breed of large swift smooth-coated dogs, usually white with black, liver, or lemon markings: when on shooting expeditions it points to the bird with its nose, body, and tail in a straight line
5.
a helpful piece of information or advice
pointer in American English
(ˈpɔɪntər)
noun
1.
a person or thing that points
2.
a long, tapered rod used by teachers and lecturers for pointing to things on a map, blackboard, etc.
3.
an indicator on a clock, meter, scales, etc.
4.
any of a breed of large, muscular hunting dog with a short, smooth coat, usually white with liver, black, or yellowish spots, and characterized by its assumption of the classic stance in pointing game
see also point (sense 40)
5. Informal
a helpful hint or suggestion
Idioms:
the Pointers
Examples of 'pointer' in a sentence
pointer
These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content.Read more…
That has been a good pointer for this race.
The Sun (2016)
A book by a celebrity can give positive pointers.
The Sun (2017)
UK data this week will provide further post-referendum pointers.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
One good pointer could be the presence of a thriving village pub.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The video clip gives no obvious pointer to the identity of the owner.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It could provide useful pointers for those challenged by grammar or spelling.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
They just need a few pointers along the way.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It can also be a useful pointer.
Westcott, Patsy Alternative Health Care for Women (1991)
In which case there will be other pointers to give the game away.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The answers are below if you need any pointers.
The Sun (2012)
Could you give me any pointers?
The Sun (2014)
This offers a pointer for other industries striving to find a place in the world amid relatively high energy and labour costs.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Along with observation, skin tests can also be a helpful pointer.
Orton, Christine Eczema Relief - the comprehensive self-help plan (1990)
It offers pointers for those who select bishops through the Crown nominations process.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It will provide a very useful pointer to you, particularly on where you spend your money.
Tondeur, Keith Say Goodbye to Debt (1994)
If you miss this superb series, here are some useful pointers.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
I just need some pointers on what is still acceptable at my age.
The Sun (2009)
We see a laser pointer.
The Sun (2014)
Here are ten helpful pointers.
The Sun (2014)
Being on the shop floor, they're a good pointer to what the practice is really like.
The Sun (2014)
That is rather more difficult, but hopefully I will be able to provide a few pointers as the year progresses.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Word lists with
pointer
dog
In other languages
pointer
British English: pointer NOUN
A pointer is a piece of advice or information which helps you to understand a situation or to find a way of making progress.
I hope at least my daughter was able to offer you some useful pointers.
American English: pointer
Brazilian Portuguese: indicador
Chinese: 建议
European Spanish: indicación
French: tuyau
German: Hinweis
Italian: dritta
Japanese: 助言
Korean: 조언
European Portuguese: indicador
Latin American Spanish: indicación
Translate your text for free
All related terms of 'pointer'
hip pointer
a painful bruise or torn muscle at the upper ridge of the pelvis
six-pointer
a football match between two teams in similar positions in the league table , considered as being worth six points as it not only gains the winning team three points but denies three points to the losing team
two-pointer
a shot from inside or on the three point line, worth two points if it is made
blue pointer
a large shark , Isuropsis mako , of Australian coastal waters , having a blue back and pointed snout
three-pointer
a shot worth three points from beyond a line ( three point line ) that forms a semicircle around each basket
West Pointer
a graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point
German shorthaired pointer
any of a breed of large, lean hunting dog similar to, and probably descended from the same stock as, the pointer , with a short, thick coat , liver or liver-and-white in color
German wirehaired pointer
any of a breed of large, lean hunting dog developed from the pointer and other breeds, having a wiry coat of liver-and-white, bushy eyebrows , and a beard
German short-haired pointer
a medium-sized short-haired variety of pointer having a liver-coloured or black coat , sometimes with white markings
German wire-haired pointer
a medium-sized powerfully-built variety of pointer with a wiry coat in liver , liver and white, or black and white, and a short beard
Chinese translation of 'pointer'
pointer
(ˈpɔɪntəʳ)
n(c)
(= tip) 点(點)子 (diǎnzi) (个(個), gè)
(= indication) 暗示 (ànshì)
(= needle) (on machine) 指针(針) (zhǐzhēn) (根, gēn)
(= stick) 教鞭 (jiàobiān) (条(條), tiáo)
(= dog) 指示犬 (zhǐshìquǎn) (只, zhī)
1 (noun)
Definition
something that is a helpful indicator of how a situation has arisen or may turn out
Here are a few pointers to help you make a choice.
Synonyms
hint
I glanced at her and saw no hint of irony on her face.
tip
A good tip is to buy the most expensive lens you can afford.
suggestion
There is absolutely no suggestion of any mainstream political party involvement.
warning
She came into my room without warning.
recommendation
The committee's recommendations are unlikely to be made public.
caution
The others got off with a caution but I was fined.
piece of information
piece of advice
2 (noun)
Definition
something that is a helpful indicator of how a situation has arisen or may turn out
Sunday's elections should be a pointer to the public mood.
Synonyms
indication
He gave no indication that he was ready to compromise.
lead
The inquiry team is following up possible leads.
sign
His face and movements rarely betrayed any sign of nerves.
evidence
Police said there was no evidence of a struggle.
signal
The event was seen as a signal of support.
suggestion
that fashionably faint suggestion of a tan
symptom
Your problem with sleep is just a symptom of a larger problem.
hint
I'd dropped a hint about having an exhibition of his work.
implication
The implication was obvious: vote for us or you'll be sorry.
clue
Scientists have discovered a clue that may unlock the puzzle.
a vital clue to the killer's identity
indicator
inkling
We had an inkling that something might be happening.
intimation
I did not have any intimation that he was going to resign.
3 (noun)
Definition
a long stick used by teachers, to point out particular features on a map, chart, etc.
She tapped on the map with her pointer.
Synonyms
stick
Crowds armed with sticks and stones took to the streets.
pole
The sign hung at the top of a large pole.
rod
reinforced with steel rods
cane
4 (noun)
Definition
an indicator on a measuring instrument
The pointer indicates the pressure on the dial.
Synonyms
indicator
The number of wells is a fair indicator of the demand for water.
hand
guide
Our only guide was the stars overhead.
needle
arrow
A series of arrows point the way to his grave.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of arrow
Definition
an arrow-shaped sign or symbol used to show the direction to a place
A series of arrows point the way to his grave.
Synonyms
pointer,
indicator,
marker
in the sense of caution
Definition
a formal warning given to a person suspected of an offence
The others got off with a caution but I was fined.
Synonyms
reprimand,
warning,
injunction,
admonition
in the sense of clue
Definition
something that helps to solve a problem or unravel a mystery
Scientists have discovered a clue that may unlock the puzzle.a vital clue to the killer's identity
Synonyms
indication,
lead,
sign,
evidence,
tip,
suggestion,
trace,
hint,
suspicion,
pointer,
tip-off,
inkling,
intimation
Nearby words of
pointer
point to something
point-blank
pointed
pointer
pointless
poise
poised
Synonyms of 'pointer'
pointer
Explore 'pointer' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of evidence
Police said there was no evidence of a struggle.
Synonyms
sign(s),
mark,
suggestion,
trace,
indication,
token,
manifestation
in the sense of guide
Definition
something that can be used to gauge something or to help in planning one's actions
Our only guide was the stars overhead.
Synonyms
pointer,
sign,
signal,
mark,
key,
clue,
landmark,
marker,
beacon,
signpost,
guiding light,
lodestar
in the sense of implication
Definition
an act or instance of suggesting, implying, or being implied
The implication was obvious: vote for us or you'll be sorry.
Synonyms
suggestion,
hint,
inference,
meaning,
conclusion,
significance,
presumption,
overtone,
innuendo,
intimation,
insinuation,
signification
in the sense of inkling
Definition
a vague idea or suspicion
We had an inkling that something might be happening.
Synonyms
suspicion,
idea,
hint,
suggestion,
notion,
indication,
whisper,
clue,
conception,
glimmering,
intimation,
faintest or foggiest idea
in the sense of intimation
I did not have any intimation that he was going to resign.
Synonyms
hint,
warning,
suggestion,
indication,
allusion,
inkling,
insinuation
in the sense of lead
Definition
an indication
The inquiry team is following up possible leads.
Synonyms
clue,
tip,
suggestion,
trace,
hint,
guide,
indication,
pointer,
tip-off
in the sense of pole
Definition
a long slender rounded piece of wood, metal, or other material
The sign hung at the top of a large pole.
Synonyms
rod,
post,
support,
staff,
standard,
bar,
stick,
stake,
paling,
shaft,
upright,
pillar,
mast,
picket,
spar,
stave
in the sense of recommendation
The committee's recommendations are unlikely to be made public.
Synonyms
advice,
proposal,
suggestion,
counsel,
guidance,
exhortation (formal),
urging
in the sense of rod
Definition
a thin straight pole made of wood or metal
reinforced with steel rods
Synonyms
stick,
bar,
pole,
shaft,
switch,
crook,
cane,
birch,
dowel
in the sense of sign
Definition
a visible indication
His face and movements rarely betrayed any sign of nerves.
Synonyms
indication,
evidence,
trace,
mark,
note,
signal,
suggestion,
symptom,
hint,
proof,
gesture,
clue,
token,
manifestation,
giveaway,
vestige,
spoor
Additional synonyms
in the sense of signal
Definition
any sign, gesture, sound, or action used to communicate information
The event was seen as a signal of support.
Synonyms
sign,
gesture,
indication,
mark,
note,
evidence,
expression,
proof,
token,
indicator,
manifestation
in the sense of suggestion
Definition
a hint or indication
There is absolutely no suggestion of any mainstream political party involvement.
Synonyms
hint,
implication,
insinuation,
intimation
in the sense of suggestion
that fashionably faint suggestion of a tan
Synonyms
trace,
touch,
hint,
shadow,
impression,
breath,
indication,
whisper,
suspicion,
ghost,
intimation
in the sense of symptom
Definition
anything that is taken as an indication that something is wrong
Your problem with sleep is just a symptom of a larger problem.
Synonyms
manifestation,
sign,
indication,
mark,
warning,
evidence,
expression,
proof,
token,
portent,
augury
in the sense of tip
Definition
a piece of inside information, esp. in betting or investing
A good tip is to buy the most expensive lens you can afford.
Synonyms
hint,
suggestion,
piece of information,
piece of advice,
gen (British, informal),
pointer,
piece of inside information,
heads up (US, Canadian)
in the sense of warning
Definition
a hint, threat, or advance notice of a possible danger or problem