a pointy face

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a pointy face" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's facial features, particularly when the chin or jawline is sharp or angular. Example: "She had a striking appearance, with high cheekbones and a pointy face that drew attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The Panamanian golden frog, which is now extinct in the wild, is a very beautiful animal (also very poisonous); it's bright yellow with a pointy face and dark, soulful eyes.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Riding away from the river and out into the open countryside en route to my overnight stop in the village of Kamouraska, 152km northeast of Quebec City, I noticed a statue standing alone in a field – a grey and ghostly figure with a small, pointy face.

BBC

(Turns out there are distinctively Tasmanian animals other than the notorious devil, including the bandicoot — "It has a little pointy face, pointy ears, a stripy back, and it sort of looks like a cross between a squirrel and a mini wallaby" — and the potoroo, "a miniature wallaby").

The New Yorker

I scream even as I realize that what I'm screaming at is not a rat but a baby possum — it has that nasty long tail and pointy face, but its gray-brown fur sticks up in tufts like a punk haircut — and it ducks back into the storage room.

The New Yorker

Draw a pointy nosed face.

WikiHow

At top, a wild-eyed White stares out from underneath a startling shock of hair, on the right McKim's near-baldness is lampooned with an exaggerated high forehead and at left Saint-Gaudens portrayed his naturally pointy face made even pointier by drawing out his goatee.

The New York Times

The little pointy face, so white it is almost blue in the spotlight, is shadowed by a baroque mound of curls.

The Guardian - Music

Understanding eye lines: Ping-pong balls or false eyelashes are options, but even without eyes, the pointy face of your sock puppet tells you which direction it's facing.

The Guardian

These are the book's best illustrations: Henkes's reassuringly familiar mice, with their happy pointy faces, giving it all they've got, sunglasses, feather boas and all.

The New York Times - Books

A home video of the event shows a gawky, skinny boy next door with a Medusa tumble of corkscrew curls framing a long, narrow face with a pointy nose, stepping onto the stage of the mammoth Shrine Auditorium with no great show of confidence.

The New York Times - Arts

Ricky Walden is standing less than five feet away, looking slightly deranged while hunched over a pointy stick and, let's face it, a man capable of losing eight consecutive frames in the most important match of his career is probably capable of anything.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character's appearance, use "a pointy face" to create a vivid image of sharp, angular features. This is particularly useful in fiction writing to quickly convey a specific look.

Common error

Avoid using "a pointy face" excessively, especially with negative adjectives like "evil" or "scheming", as this can reinforce stereotypes. Instead, focus on other descriptive elements to create a more nuanced portrayal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pointy face" functions primarily as a descriptive noun phrase. It's used to characterize someone's appearance by focusing on the angularity or sharpness of their facial features. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a pointy face" serves as a descriptive noun phrase, commonly employed to depict someone's facial features with a focus on angularity or sharpness. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and suitable for use in written English. It is frequently found in News & Media and Wiki sources, indicating a neutral to slightly informal register. While acceptable in various contexts, more formal settings might necessitate more precise anatomical terms. Remember to use this description judiciously, avoiding negative connotations and considering alternative phrases like "an angular face" or "a sharp-featured face" for enhanced clarity or formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an angular face

Focuses on the angles and sharp lines of the face, rather than just the pointedness.

a sharp-featured face

Emphasizes the distinct and well-defined features of the face.

a narrow face

Highlights the slimness of the face, which may contribute to a pointy appearance.

an elongated face

Stresses the length of the face, potentially leading to a perception of pointedness.

a triangular face

Uses a geometric shape to describe the face's form, suggesting a wider forehead and narrower chin.

a V-shaped face

Similar to triangular, but more directly emphasizes the downward tapering shape.

a face with a pointed chin

Specifically draws attention to the shape of the chin as the defining feature.

a face with sharp features

Highlights the sharpness and definition of the facial features in general.

a face with a prominent nose

Shifts the focus to the nose, which can contribute to the overall impression of a pointy face.

a sculpted face

Implies a well-defined and chiseled facial structure, often associated with a pointy or angular appearance.

FAQs

How can I use "a pointy face" in a sentence?

You can use "a pointy face" to describe someone's facial features, focusing on the angular or sharp aspects of their face. For example, "The character was designed with "a pointy face" and piercing eyes to emphasize their cunning nature."

What are some alternatives to "a pointy face"?

Some alternatives include "an angular face", "a sharp-featured face", or "a narrow face", depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

Is it appropriate to use "a pointy face" in formal writing?

While "a pointy face" is generally acceptable, it's more common in descriptive or creative writing. In formal contexts, consider using more neutral terms like "a sharp-featured face" or specifying the feature, such as "a prominent chin".

What does "a pointy face" imply about a character?

The implication can vary, but often "a pointy face" suggests sharpness, intelligence, or even a somewhat cunning or sly nature, depending on the context and other descriptive details. Avoid relying solely on this feature to define a character.