First Known Use: 1616
Dictionary
piquant
adjective pi·quant \ˈpē-kənt, -ˌkänt; ˈpi-kwənt\
: having a pleasant, spicy taste
: interesting and exciting
Full Definition of PIQUANT
1
: engagingly provocative; also : having a lively arch charm
2
: agreeably stimulating to the palate; especially : spicy
— pi·quant·ly adverb
— pi·quant·ness noun
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Origin of PIQUANT
Middle French, from present participle of piquer
Related to PIQUANT
Synonym Discussion of PIQUANT
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>.
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