Cursor vs. Pointer — What's the Difference?

A movable indicator on a display, marking a position where typed characters will appear or where an option can be selected.

A long tapered stick or a laser beacon used to call attention to objects, as on a chart or blackboard.

A part of any of several scientific or measuring instruments that moves back and forth to indicate a position.

A scale indicator on a watch, balance, or other measuring instrument.

(graphical user interface) A moving icon or other representation of the position of the pointing device.

A dog of a breed developed in Europe to point game, having a smooth, short-haired coat that is often white with black or brownish markings.

(graphical user interface) An indicator, often a blinking line or bar, indicating where the next insertion or other edit will take place.

A dog of any of various similar breeds.

(databases) A reference to a row of data in a table, which moves from row to row as data is retrieved by way of it.

A piece of advice; a suggestion

(programming) A design pattern in object oriented methodology in which a collection is iterated uniformly.

A piece of indicative information

To navigate by means of the cursor keys.

(Computers) A variable that holds the address of a core storage location.

Any part of a mathematical instrument that moves or slides backward and forward upon another part.

(Computers) A symbol appearing on a display screen in a GUI that lets the user select a command by clicking with a pointing device or pressing the enter key when the pointer symbol is positioned on the appropriate button or icon.

(computer science) indicator consisting of a movable spot of light (an icon) on a visual display; moving the cursor allows the user to point to commands or screen positions

Either of the two stars in the Big Dipper, Dubhe and Merak, that are aligned so that a line drawn between them extends north to Polaris, the north star.

Anything that points or is used for pointing.

A teacher's pointer, pointing stick, a rod with an arrow.

A needle-like component of a timepiece or measuring device that indicates the time or the current reading of the device.

(hunting) A breed of hunting dog, trained to point out game.

(programming) A variable that holds the address of a memory location where a value can be stored.

(graphical user interface) An icon that indicates the position of the pointing device, such as a mouse.

A tip, a bit of advice.

Something that gives a point sharp end to something.

(in combinations) Something worth a given number of points.

One who, or that which, points.

A mark to indicate a direction or relation

An indicator as on a dial

(computer science) indicator consisting of a movable spot of light (an icon) on a visual display; moving the cursor allows the user to point to commands or screen positions

A strong slender smooth-haired dog of Spanish origin having a white coat with brown or black patches; scents out and points game