pointy face

USAGE SUMMARY

The term "pointy face" is not considered standard English and is not typically used in written English.
It would be better to use a more descriptive term, such as "angular face," "sharp-featured face," or "crest-shaped face." For example, "She had a sharp-featured face with a long, pointed chin and high cheekbones."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

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

(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

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

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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

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

When planting garlic you need to face the pointy side up in order for it to grow.[9].

WikiHow

Why, she's got up on her hind legs and she's mincing about with her long pointy collie face on one side, like a fey Oxford undergraduate holding a teddy bear!

The Guardian

But this enterprising Redditor has created something perhaps even better (and almost certainly cheaper) by putting a bunch of wooden skewers in a wooden box. 1. Place skewers in box (ensure the pointy ends face upwards).

TechCrunch

Draw a pointy nosed face.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's appearance, consider using more precise and widely accepted terms such as "angular face" or "sharp-featured face" instead of "pointy face" for clarity and professionalism.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "pointy face" in formal writing or professional settings. Opt for more sophisticated vocabulary to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pointy face" functions primarily as a descriptive noun phrase, modifying a person or character by highlighting a specific facial characteristic. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in describing physical appearance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pointy face" is an acceptable, yet not standard, way to describe someone's facial features. Ludwig's analysis and the example sentences show that it is most often found in News & Media and Wiki contexts. While understandable, it's advisable to use more precise and descriptive terms like "angular face" or "sharp-featured face" in formal contexts to improve clarity and maintain a polished tone. As the Ludwig AI explains, there are stronger alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

angular face

Focuses on the angles and lines of the face.

sharp-featured face

Emphasizes the sharpness and distinctness of the facial features.

narrow face

Highlights the slimness and lack of width of the face.

thin face

Refers to a face lacking fullness or roundness.

gaunt face

Suggests a face that is thin and hollow, often due to illness or age.

V-shaped face

Describes a face that is wider at the forehead and tapers down to a pointed chin.

tapered face

Emphasizes the narrowing shape of the face from top to bottom.

crest-shaped face

Focuses on the angular shape of the face, like a crest.

finely chiseled face

Implies the face has sharp, well-defined features like a sculpture.

elfin face

Suggests a delicate face with pointy features, like those of an elf.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to describing a "pointy face"?

Instead of "pointy face", consider using more descriptive and standard terms like "angular face", "sharp-featured face", or "narrow face" depending on the specific features you want to highlight.

Is it grammatically correct to say "pointy face"?

While understandable, "pointy face" isn't considered standard English. It's better to use more precise and commonly accepted adjectives to describe facial features.

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

You might use "pointy face" in informal or creative writing, but for professional or formal contexts, it's advisable to choose alternatives like "His angular face gave him a distinguished look".

What does it mean when someone is described as having a "pointy face"?

A "pointy face" generally suggests a face with sharp, angular features, particularly a narrow or tapered chin. However, this term isn't very precise, so consider using more specific descriptions to avoid ambiguity.