pungent

adjective pun·gent \ˈpən-jənt\

: having a strong, sharp taste or smell

: having a strong effect on the mind because of being clever and direct

Full Definition of PUNGENT

: sharply painful

: having a stiff and sharp point <pungent leaves>

a : marked by a sharp incisive quality : caustic <a pungent critic> <pungent language>

b : being sharp and to the point

a : causing a sharp or irritating sensation; especially : acrid

b : having an intense flavor or odor <a pungent chili>

— pun·gent·ly adverb

See pungent defined for English-language learners

See pungent defined for kids

Examples of PUNGENT

The left has often complained that what it needs isn't polite speech, but voices as pungent as those on the right. —Jennifer Senior, New York Times Book Review, 24 Sept. 2006
I remember the enormous size of that fire and the pungent smell of smoke from the burning chaparral as the flames raced up the slope toward our house. —Tim White, Curious Minds, 2004
Maybe what seems pungent to the locals only becomes alarming when sniffed through a giant Western proboscis, but there are some odors in China that make a visit to Bhopal seem like a picnic downwind from the Arpege factory. —P. J. O'Rourke, Holidays in Hell, 1988
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Origin of PUNGENT

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

First Known Use: 1597

Related to PUNGENT

Synonyms: nippy, sharp, strong, tangy

Antonyms: bland, mild, smooth

Synonym Discussion of PUNGENT

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>.

PUNGENT Defined for Kids

pungent

adjective pun·gent \ˈpən-jənt\

Definition of PUNGENT for Kids

: having a strong or sharp taste or smell <a pungent odor>

— pun·gent·ly adverb

Word Root of PUNGENT

The Latin word pungere, meaning “to prick” or “to pierce,” and its form punctus give us the roots pung and punct. Words from the Latin pungere have something to do with pricking or piercing. To puncture is to pierce with something pointed. A pungent smell is one that is so strong and sharp that it pierces the nose. Someone punctual acts at the exact point when the hands of the clock prick the right moment. Punctuation pierces a string of words to form separate sentences.

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