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nounverbverb

la pointeuse

point

C’est montrer quelque chose avec le doigt ou un objet pour attirer l’attention dessus.

Definition & meaning

Pointer is a regular French verb with several related meanings:

  1. To point at or aim at something

    • Pointer du doigt means “to point at with one’s finger.”
    • Pointer une arme means “to aim a weapon.”
    • Pointer vers quelque chose means “to point toward something.”

  2. To point something out or indicate it
    It can mean to draw attention to an error, a problem, or an important detail.

    • Pointer une erreur = “to point out an error.”

  3. To clock in or register one’s arrival at work
    In a professional context, pointer means to record one’s presence or working hours, often using a time clock.

    • Pointer au travail = “to clock in at work.”

  4. To check or record working hours

    • Pointer ses heures means “to record one’s hours.”

Grammar & Word origin

Pointer is a regular -er verb.

Present-tense forms include:

  • je pointe — I point / clock in
  • tu pointes — you point / clock in
  • il/elle pointe — he/she points / clocks in
  • nous pointons — we point / clock in
  • vous pointez — you point / clock in
  • ils/elles pointent — they point / clock in

It is derived from point , meaning “point,” “dot,” or “tip,” with the verb-forming suffix -er. The noun point ultimately comes from Latin punctum, “a point” or “a puncture.”

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms

  • désigner — to designate or indicate; broader and often less physical than pointer.
  • indiquer — to indicate or show; neutral and widely applicable.
  • montrer — to show; less specifically associated with directing attention.
  • viser — to aim at; mainly corresponds to the “aim” meaning of pointer.
  • signaler — to point out or report something, especially a problem or noteworthy fact.
  • badger — to clock in or record one’s presence; informal and specifically related to workplace attendance.

Antonyms

There is no single direct antonym for all meanings of pointer. Depending on the context, possible opposites include:

  • ignorer — to ignore, rather than point something out.
  • cacher — to hide, rather than indicate or reveal.
  • détourner — to turn away, rather than aim or point toward something.
  • débadger — to clock out, as the opposite of clocking in.

Common phrases & collocations

  • pointer du doigt — to point at with one’s finger; figuratively, to single someone or something out.
  • pointer une arme sur quelqu’un — to aim a weapon at someone.
  • pointer vers la sortie — to point toward the exit.
  • pointer une erreur — to point out an error.
  • pointer au travail — to clock in at work.
  • pointer à l’entrée — to register one’s arrival.
  • pointer ses heures — to record one’s working hours.

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Examples

Tu peux pointer du doigt l'endroit exact.verb

Can you point to the exact place?

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