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pinpointto locate or identify something exactly

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to locate or identify something exactly

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈpɪnpɔɪnt/

Example Sentences

  • I can't pinpoint why my computer keeps crashing, but I suspect it's the coffee I spilled on it last week.
  • The GPS helped us pinpoint the restaurant's location in the maze-like city center.
  • Scientists finally pinpointed the exact moment when my motivation to exercise disappeared: Monday morning.

pinpoint

VERB

[/ˈpɪnpɔɪnt/]

to locate or identify something exactly

The detective used a magnifying glass to pinpoint the tiny clue on the map.
💡 Concept

The detective used a magnifying glass to pinpoint the tiny clue on the map.

From this viewpoint, pinpoint that checkpoint!
🎵 Rhyme

From this viewpoint, pinpoint that checkpoint!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈpɪnpɔɪnt/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈpɪnpɔɪnt/

🌳Etymology

Rootpin + point

Origin

From the combination of 'pin' (a small pointed fastener, from Old English and Germanic roots) and 'point' (from Latin 'punctum' meaning a sharp end or dot). The compound emerged in the 20th century to describe the precision of identifying something as small and exact as the tip of a pin.

Breakdown

pin (small pointed object) + point (sharp end, dot) = pinpoint (to identify with precision as exact as a pin's point)

🎵Rhyme

viewpointcheckpointendpoint
viewpoint
checkpoint
endpoint

🔗Collocations

pinpoint accuracy
pinpoint the cause
pinpoint location
pinpoint precision
pinpoint bombing
pinpoint the problem

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

I can't pinpoint why my computer keeps crashing, but I suspect it's the coffee I spilled on it last week.

The GPS helped us pinpoint the restaurant's location in the maze-like city center.

😄 Fun example

Scientists finally pinpointed the exact moment when my motivation to exercise disappeared: Monday morning.

The meteorologist could pinpoint where the storm would hit with remarkable accuracy.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

identifylocatedeterminespecifyisolate

Antonyms

generalizeapproximateestimate

Related

preciseaccurateexacttargetfocus

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