pungent

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English

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin pungens (stem pungent-), present participle of pungo (“to sting”). Doublet of poignant.

Pronunciation

  • enPR: pŭnjənt, IPA(key): /ˈpʌnd͡ʒənt/
  • Audio (US)(file)

Adjective

pungent (comparative more pungent, superlative most pungent)

  1. Having a strong odor that stings the nose; said especially of acidic or spicy substances.
    I accidentally dropped the bottle of ammonia and after few seconds, a very pungent stench could be detected.
    • 1951 February, “Notes and News: Lynton & Barnstaple Remains”, in Railway Magazine, page 136:
      Pilton Yard, the Lynton & Barnstaple headquarters, has been taken over by a fur trading firm, and would-be trespassers to the old engine-shed are turned back by the pungent odour of heaps of carcases.
    • 1991, Paul Chadwick, Concrete: American Christmas, Dark Horse Books:
      I can almost smell the fir scent... resinous, pungent.
  2. Having a strong taste that stings the tongue; said especially of hot (spicy) food, which has a strong and sharp or bitter taste.
  3. (figurative) Stinging; acerbic.
    The critic gave a pungent review.
  4. (botany) Having a sharp and stiff point.

Derived terms

Translations

Latin

Verb

pungent

  1. third-person plural future active indicative of pungō
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