Main Entry:

pun·gent

Pronunciation:

\-jənt\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

Latin pungent-, pungens, present participle of pungere to prick, sting; akin to Latin pugnus fist, pugnare to fight, Greek pygmē fist

Date:

1597

1: sharply painful2: having a stiff and sharp point <pungent leaves>3 a: marked by a sharp incisive quality : caustic <a pungent critic> <pungent language> b: being sharp and to the point4 a: causing a sharp or irritating sensation ; especially : acrid b: having an intense flavor or odor <a pungent chili>

— pun·gent·ly adverb

synonyms pungent, piquant, poignant, racy mean sharp and stimulating to the mind or the senses. pungent implies a sharp, stinging, or biting quality especially of odors <a cheese with a pungent odor>. piquant suggests a power to whet the appetite or interest through tartness or mild pungency <a piquant sauce>. poignant suggests something is sharply or piercingly effective in stirring one's emotions <felt a poignant sense of loss>. racy implies having a strongly characteristic natural quality fresh and unimpaired <spontaneous, racy prose>.