What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pointy
Example
The witch wore a pointy hat. [pointy: adjective]
Example
Be careful with that pointy stick. [pointy: adjective]
pointed
Example
She made a pointed comment about his behavior. [pointed: adjective]
Example
The building had pointed arches and intricate details. [pointed: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pointy is more commonly used in everyday language than pointed. Pointy is a simple and straightforward word that is easy to understand, while pointed is more formal and may not be as familiar to ESL learners.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pointy and pointed?
Pointed is more formal than pointy. It is often used in academic or professional settings to describe critical or direct statements. On the other hand, pointy is more casual and can be used in everyday conversation to describe physical features of objects.
