pointer
gb/pˈɔɪntɚ/ us/pˈɔɪntɚ/
B1
English
~ 5600
tipp, tanács, egérmutató, jelzés, támpont, mutatóeszköz, lézermutató, mutatópálca, mutató, pointer, angol pointer
NOUN
B1
1
Usage pattern:
to give [someone] (a few) pointers on [something]
The coach gave me a few pointers on how to improve my serve.
Az edző adott néhány tippet, hogyan javíthatnék az adogatásomon.
Can you give me some pointers before my first presentation?
Tudsz adni néhány tippet az első prezentációm előtt?
Her email included several useful pointers for writing a stronger resume.
He asked the senior designer for pointers on using the new software.
The article offers practical pointers for saving money on groceries.
Learner examples
My teacher gave me some pointers on my essay.
A tanárom adott néhány tippet a fogalmazásomhoz.
Can you give me a few pointers before the job interview?
Tudsz adni néhány tippet az állásinterjú előtt?
The video gives good pointers on how to speak clearly.
She asked her friend for pointers on cooking Italian food.
Our coach gave us pointers to help us play better.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "pointer" with "point" in this sense. "Point" is a single idea or argument, while "pointers" are small, practical pieces of advice, usually used in the plural. For example, say "give me some pointers" (not *"give me some points"* when you mean advice).
Meaning
small piece of helpful advice
Collocations
give pointers
|a few pointers
|some useful pointers
|pointers on
|ask for pointers
|helpful pointers
Synonyms
tip (Often more informal; commonly used for quick, practical advice or tricks.)
|
advice (More general and often uncountable; does not highlight the idea of several small, specific suggestions the way "pointers" does.)
Antonyms
misdirection (Refers to guidance that leads someone the wrong way, the opposite of helpful pointers.)
Themes
daily life
|education
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A small piece of advice that helps you do something in a better way.
A brief, practical piece of advice or guidance, especially about how to do something better.
NOUN
B1
TECHNICAL
2
egérmutató
B1
Usage pattern:
to move the pointer to [something]
Move the pointer to the top-right corner of the screen.
Vidd az egérmutatót a képernyő jobb felső sarkába.
When the pointer changes to a hand icon, you can click the link.
Amikor az egérmutató kéz ikonná változik, rákattinthatsz a linkre.
You can adjust the pointer speed in the system settings.
Hold down the mouse button and drag the pointer to select the text.
If the pointer disappears, try reconnecting your mouse.
Learner examples
Move the pointer over the button and click.
Vidd az egérmutatót a gomb fölé, és kattints.
The pointer changes shape when you can type.
Az egérmutató alakja megváltozik, amikor gépelhetsz.
I cannot see the pointer on my screen.
Use the mouse to move the pointer to the file.
The pointer is very small, so it is hard to see.
Common mistake:
Learners may use only "mouse" or "arrow" instead of "pointer". In computer instructions, it is more natural to say "move the pointer" than *"move the mouse arrow"*.
Meaning
on-screen shape showing mouse position
Collocations
mouse pointer
|move the pointer
|hover the pointer
|drag the pointer
|pointer speed
|pointer settings
Synonyms
cursor (A more general computer term; in many everyday contexts, especially with a mouse, "cursor" and "pointer" are used interchangeably.)
Themes
technology
|computing
|work
|communication
Definition
The small shape on a computer screen that moves when you move the mouse and shows where you can click.
A small shape or symbol on a computer screen, controlled by a mouse or similar device, that shows where user actions will happen.
NOUN
B2
FORMAL
3
Usage pattern:
a pointer to [something]
Falling sales are a clear pointer to deeper problems in the company.
A csökkenő eladások egyértelmű jelzést adnak arra, hogy a vállalatnál mélyebb problémák vannak.
These results provide an important pointer to future voting patterns.
Ezek az eredmények fontos támpontot adnak a jövőbeli szavazási mintázatokhoz.
The survey offers useful pointers to customer satisfaction levels.
The data gave no obvious pointer to the cause of the error.
Her comments were seen as a pointer towards a possible policy change.
Learner examples
Low test scores can be a pointer to problems at school.
Az alacsony teszteredmények jelzésként szolgálhatnak arra, hogy problémák vannak az iskolában.
This report is a pointer to what may happen next year.
Ez a jelentés támpontot ad ahhoz, mi történhet jövőre.
The numbers give us a pointer to the team9s weak points.
These results are an early pointer to a bigger change.
The sign is a clear pointer to danger ahead.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use only "sign" or "signal" and are unsure about "pointer" in formal writing. "Pointer" is often followed by "to" or "towards" and is used with abstract nouns like "problems", "trends", or "changes".
Meaning
sign that something may happen
Collocations
a pointer to
|useful pointer
|early pointer
|strong pointer
|pointer towards
|pointer for future trends
Synonyms
indicator (More general and widely used in technical and formal writing for something that shows a condition or trend.)
|
clue (More informal and often used for solving problems or mysteries; a "pointer" tends to sound more analytical or statistical.)
Antonyms
red herring (Something that leads attention in the wrong direction, the opposite of a helpful pointer to what is really happening.)
Themes
analysis
|business
|science
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Definition
A thing that shows or suggests what is happening now or what may happen later.
A sign, clue, or early signal that suggests what is happening or is likely to happen in the future.
NOUN
B2
4
Usage pattern:
to use a pointer to show [something]
The teacher used a wooden pointer to tap the words on the board.
A tanár egy fából készült mutatópálcával koppintott a táblán lévő szavakra.
During the talk, she used a laser pointer to highlight key figures on the slide.
Az előadás közben lézermutatóval emelte ki a dián szereplő legfontosabb számadatokat.
He forgot his pointer and had to stand very close to the screen.
The tour guide used a pointer to show our route on the map.
She clicked the button on the pointer to move to the next slide.
Learner examples
The teacher has a long pointer in class.
A tanár egy hosszú mutatópálcát használ az órán.
He used a laser pointer to show the numbers.
Lézermutatót használt, hogy megmutassa a számokat.
Please use the pointer to show the city on the map.
She forgot her pointer for the presentation.
The man moves the pointer along the line of text.
Meaning
stick or tool for pointing
Collocations
laser pointer
|use a pointer
|wooden pointer
|metal pointer
|classroom pointer
|pointer in a presentation
Synonyms
indicator (Can refer to something used to show or mark a position, but is broader and less specifically about a handheld device.)
Themes
education
|presentations
|tools
|communication
|daily_life
Definition
A stick or small tool that you hold in your hand to show something on a board or screen.
A long stick or handheld device, such as a laser pointer, used to indicate things on a board, screen, or map.
NOUN
B2
TECHNICAL
5
mutató
B1
Usage pattern:
the pointer on [a gauge] shows [a value]
The pointer on the speedometer climbed to 120 kilometers per hour.
A sebességmérő mutatója 120 kilométer/órára kúszott fel.
When the pointer reaches the red zone, the engine is overheating.
Amikor a mutató eléri a piros zónát, a motor túlmelegszik.
At rest, the pointer should return to zero.
The technician watched the pointer on the pressure gauge carefully.
If the pointer is stuck, the instrument needs to be calibrated.
Learner examples
The pointer on the clock moves slowly.
Az óra mutatója lassan mozog.
The pointer on the speed meter shows 80.
A sebességmérő mutatója 80-at mutat.
When the pointer is in the red area, it is not safe.
The pointer on the gauge goes back to zero.
The mechanic checks the pointer on the oil meter.
Common mistake:
Learners usually call this part a "needle" and may not recognize "pointer" in technical descriptions of instruments. Both words are acceptable, but "needle" is more common in everyday speech.
Meaning
needle on a dial or gauge
Collocations
speedometer pointer
|fuel gauge pointer
|pointer moves
|pointer rests at zero
|pointer on the dial
|pointer position
Synonyms
needle (Everyday word for the thin moving part of a gauge; "pointer" is more technical or formal.)
Themes
technology
|science
|transport
Definition
The thin needle on a meter or dial that moves to show a number, like speed or heat.
A thin rod or needle on a dial or gauge that moves to show a measurement, such as speed, pressure, or temperature.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
6
Usage pattern:
a pointer to [a variable/object]
In C, a pointer stores the memory address of a variable.
C-ben egy mutató egy változó memóriacímét tárolja.
Trying to use a null pointer will cause the program to crash.
Ha nullmutatót próbálunk használni, a program összeomlik.
Pointer arithmetic lets you move through an array in memory.
This function returns a pointer to a newly allocated object.
You must free the memory that a pointer refers to when you are done with it.
Learner examples
In this code, the pointer holds the address of the data.
Ebben a kódban a mutató az adatok címét tartalmazza.
A null pointer does not point to valid memory.
Egy nullmutató nem mutat érvényes memóriaterületre.
The function gives back a pointer to the first element.
We can move the pointer to read the next item.
Be careful when you change the value of a pointer.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse the everyday meanings of "pointer" with this technical sense. In programming, a pointer is not advice or a mouse symbol; it is a variable that holds a memory address. They may also think a pointer "contains data" instead of understanding that it contains the *location* of the data.
Meaning
programming variable holding an address
Collocations
pointer to
|null pointer
|pointer arithmetic
|pointer value
|dereference a pointer
|pointer type
Synonyms
reference (In some languages, a general term for an indirect link to data; "pointer" typically implies a raw memory address and often lower-level control.)
Themes
computing
|programming
|science
|technology
Definition
In programming, a special variable that does not hold data itself, but holds the place in memory where the data is stored.
In computer programming, a variable that stores the memory address of another value or object, allowing indirect access to it.
NOUN
B2
7
pointer
C1
Usage pattern:
a pointer [does something]
They bought an English Pointer to use on their hunting trips.
Vettek egy angol pointert a vadászataikhoz.
The pointer froze, its nose aimed at the hidden birds.
A pointer mozdulatlanná dermedt, orra a rejtőzködő madarak felé szegeződött.
Pointers are energetic dogs that need a lot of exercise.
Her German Shorthaired Pointer won first prize at the dog show.
The trainer specializes in working with pointers and other gundogs.
Learner examples
The man has a pointer and two other dogs.
A férfinak egy pointere és két másik kutyája van.
The pointer stops and shows where the birds are.
A pointer megáll, és jelzi, hol vannak a madarak.
A pointer needs a lot of space to run.
They trained their pointer for hunting.
Her pointer is very friendly with children.
Common mistake:
Learners may think "pointer" here means a dog that points with its paw like in cartoons. In hunting, a pointer usually stands very still with its body and head directed toward the birds.
Meaning
short-haired hunting dog breed
Collocations
English Pointer
|German Shorthaired Pointer
|train a pointer
|pointer puppy
|working pointer
|pointer breed
Synonyms
gundog (A more general word for dogs trained to help hunters using guns; "pointer" is a specific type of gundog.)
Themes
animals
|sports
|hobbies
Definition
A kind of hunting dog that points its body toward birds to show the hunter where they are.
A breed of medium- to large-sized, short-haired hunting dog that was developed to locate and indicate game birds by standing still and directing its head and body toward them.
Grammar
Dictionary form
pointer
IPA
GB/pˈɔɪntɚ/
US/pˈɔɪntɚ/
Syllables & stress
point - er (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (point)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: pointer
- Plural: pointers
Word family
Expressions
get some pointers from
1/ɡˈɛt sˈʌm pˈɔɪntɚz fɹˈʌm/
fixed phrase
receive helpful advice from someone
To receive several small, helpful pieces of advice from a person who knows more.
Examples
- I got some pointers from my manager before giving the presentation.
- You should get some pointers from Maria; she9s great at public speaking.
- He got some pointers from a more experienced programmer.
give someone a few pointers
1/ɡˈɪv sˈʌmwˌʌn ə fjˈu pˈɔɪntɚz/
fixed phrase
offer small pieces of advice
To tell someone several small, useful things that help them do something better.
Examples
- Can you give me a few pointers before my driving test?
- She gave him a few pointers on how to sound more confident in meetings.
- Our coach gave us a few pointers to improve our defense.