Pointy, pointed

[Pixter]

Good morning guys! can someone tell me the difference between pointy and pointed when used as adjectives? En Español sería "puntudo, afilado" para las 2 palabras?

Gracias!

[Rusty]

These adjectives have subtle differences, but can at times mean the same thing.
Which one to use depends greatly on the context. Could you provide some examples of what you're trying to say?
The two translations will certainly work for some of the meanings, but afilado can also be used for pointy.

[Pixter]

Thank you Rusty, you sure are Speedy Gonzalez

Well, I was reading a sentence that said "pointed wood" could I say "pointed wood" instead?? Do you have an example where you would have to use one of them specifically?

[poli]

Originally Posted by Pixter

Good morning guys! can someone tell me the difference between pointy and pointed when used as adjectives? En Español sería "puntudo, afilado" para las 2 palabras?

Gracias!

Pointy is a simpler word often used to describe a certain type of shoe. You may also say that a needle or a church spire is pointy too. Pointed is more mature sounding and it can be used metaphorically (an attorney may cross examine you in a pointed matter.) Pointed sounds more mature, and pointy sometimes sounds a little childish. Pointed is the more versitile word.

[Rusty]

A pointy hat (con picos). Pointy hair (spiked hair - cabello parado).

Pointed wood may be British. If it is wood with a pointed edge, we (U.S.) would probably choose two ways to say it. It the edge was made (machine or knife), it would be a pointed edge. If it were sharp because of a break, it would be described as a jagged edge.

[Tomisimo]

The two words are very similar, but as Rusty says, are subtly different. In my mind, the difference is that "pointed" means something is or has a point, while something that is "pointy" is like a point. Pointy would be used more in the figurative sense, and pointed more in the literal sense. In other words, if something is pointy, it merely has the shape of a point, but if something is pointed, you could actually use it as a weapon.

Also, something that has random points coming off it (like spiked hair or some type of prickly fruit) would be pointy, not pointed, to me.

In some contexts, you can only use one of the two. For example "pointed words" (direct and to the point), but never "pointy words". Also "pointed reference" (pertinent reference), "pointed difference" (marked, notable difference) etc.

Pointy, in my opinion, would only be used for something that has or looks like point(s) in a physical sense, while "pointed" has the other figurative meanings/uses mentioned above.