piquant

adjective pi·quant \ˈpē-kənt, -ˌkänt; ˈpi-kwənt\

: having a pleasant, spicy taste

: interesting and exciting

Full Definition of PIQUANT

: engagingly provocative; also : having a lively arch charm

: 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

First Known Use: 1616

Related to PIQUANT

Synonyms: pert, poignant, pungent, salty, savory (also savoury), zesty, zingy

Antonyms: insipid, zestless

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>.

Other Food Terms

Reuben, calamari, chuck, curry, edamame, foie gras, hummus, leaven, nonpareil, peel

Rhymes with PIQUANT

avaunt, bacchant, bacchante, bouffant, courante, détente, entente, Fremont, gallant, grandaunt, piedmont, Piedmont, romaunt, savant, sirvente, Vermont

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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "piquant"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "piquant"

Nglish: Translation of "piquant" for Spanish speakers

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