POINT-BLANK

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does point-blank mean? 

• POINT-BLANK (adjective)
  The adjective POINT-BLANK has 2 senses:

1. characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion

2. close enough to go straight to the target

  Familiarity information: POINT-BLANK used as an adjective is rare.

• POINT-BLANK (adverb)
  The adverb POINT-BLANK has 1 sense:

1. in a direct and unequivocal manner

  Familiarity information: POINT-BLANK used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• POINT-BLANK (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion

Synonyms:

blunt; candid; forthright; frank; free-spoken; outspoken; plainspoken; point-blank; straight-from-the-shoulder

Context example:

a point-blank accusation

Similar:

direct (straightforward in means or manner or behavior or language or action)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Close enough to go straight to the target

Context example:

a point-blank shot

Similar:

direct (direct in spatial dimensions; proceeding without deviation or interruption; straight and short)

• POINT-BLANK (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

In a direct and unequivocal manner

Context example:

I asked him point-blank whether he wanted the job

 Context examples 

Sincerity! It seems like a profanation of the word to write it in connection with such a monster, so asked him point-blank:—Why may I not go to-night?

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

“We have all heard of your siege of Capua, and how you ran up your ship’s guns without trenches or parallels, and fired point-blank through the embrasures.”

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

He was attended at Newmarket for that purpose, and he point-blank refused to do it.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Now, here's a useful tool—.470, telescopic sight, double ejector, point-blank up to three-fifty.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Now it had been her custom to launch out into fervent admiration of what she called my 'beaute male:' wherein she differed diametrically from you, who told me point-blank, at the second interview, that you did not think me handsome.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

I think I see David Copperfield looking forward to any condition of any sort or kind, though it stared him point-blank in the face!

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)