Standard Lemma guide

pointe

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • UK: /pwæ̃t/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • US: /pwɑnt/
  • US: /pɔɪnt/
  • rhymes with -ɑnt
  • rhymes with -ɔɪnt
  • CMU ARPABET: P OY1 N T Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

noun

Meaning 1

The tip of the toe; a ballet position executed with the tip of the toe.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Qualifier: ballet

Examples

  • 2007: Classical dance manages to get along without too many momentous events shuddering beneath its pointe work. — The Guardian 5th Jan 2007, p. 3

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From French pointe (“point, tip”). Doublet of point, ponto, puncto, punctum, punt, and punto.

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: pointe — ballet position
  • Polish: puenta — ballet position
  • Russian: пуа́нт (puánt) — ballet position
Real reading context

pointe in complete knowledge articles

Carolyn Zonailo People & society · Advanced · 2 uses