Point-blank means from very close range, especially when talking about shooting or aiming at something. If a soldier fires at point-blank range, the gun barrel is so close to the target that missing is nearly impossible.

The word has also come to mean direct and blunt, without softening or politeness. When someone asks you a question point-blank, they're being completely straightforward, almost abruptly so. If your friend asks point-blank whether you took their pencil, they're not hinting or being subtle. They want a clear, immediate answer.

A point-blank refusal means saying no directly, without explanation or apology. You might give a point-blank answer to a question you find inappropriate, or make a point-blank statement when something needs to be said clearly. The word suggests honesty and directness, though sometimes it can feel harsh because there's no cushioning around the message.