How to pronounce pointless
Say it like POYNT-lus. Pointless has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (POYNT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce pointless. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- POYNT
- lus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Pointless pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- POYNTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oy" in boy.
- lusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of pointless
American and British speakers say pointless in essentially the same way: /ˈpɔɪntləs/ in the US and /ˈpɔɪntlɪs/ in the UK.
British respelling: POYNT-lis.
What does pointless mean?
- not having a point especially a sharp point“my pencils are all pointless”
- serving no useful purpose; having no excuse for being“otiose lines in a play”“advice is wasted words”
- having no points scores“a scoreless inning”
Where does pointless come from?
From Middle English pointles, poynteles, poyntlees.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying pointless
How do you pronounce pointless?
Say POYNT-lus. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɔɪntləs/. In British English it is /ˈpɔɪntlɪs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in pointless?
Pointless has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (POYNT). Broken into parts: POYNT · lus.
Do Americans and Brits say pointless the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈpɔɪntləs/ and the British form is /ˈpɔɪntlɪs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.