pointe

[ French pwant ]

noun

, Ballet.

, plural pointes [pwa, n, t].

1. the tip of the toe.
2. a position on the extreme tips of the toes.

pointe

/ pɔɪnt /

noun

1. ballet the tip of the toe (esp in the phrase on pointes )

Word History and Origins

Origin of pointe¹

1820–30; < French: pointe ( du pied ) “tiptoe,” literally, “extremity of the foot”

Word History and Origins

Origin of pointe¹

from French: point

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. on / en pointe, supporting one’s body weight on the extreme tips of the toes: onen pointes.

   dancing on pointe.

Example Sentences

Luckily, it turned out that pointe shoes moved easily across the carpet-covered floors.

From Los Angeles Times

Andres made a deliberate choice for all the sisters to dance on pointe — except for Jo, a character who is unconventional in her tomboyishness.

From Los Angeles Times

“Some of our dancers are not pointe dancers, but they are excellent ballet dancers,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

“If I feel that someone will play the character really well, that is more important to me than them doing pointe. But my hope for the full-length is that it will just be Jo not wearing them, to emphasize the idea that she’s not only breaking societal norms as a woman of the time, but she’s also breaking ballet norms.”

From Los Angeles Times

“Pointe Dume is a beautiful property, and we intend to manage it in the same manner as the prior owners, honor current leases, and comply with all local regulations. Hometown is a long-term investor, and we value the long-range viability of the market and our communities.”

From Los Angeles Times