pungent
Use Pungent in a sentence
dʒənt adjective
1.
sharply affecting the organs of taste or smell, as if by a penetrating power; biting; acrid.
2.
acutely distressing to the feelings or mind; poignant.
3.
caustic, biting, or sharply expressive: pungent remarks.
4.
mentally stimulating or appealing: pungent wit.
5.
Biology. piercing or sharp-pointed.
Origin:
1590–1600; < Latin pungent- (stem of pungēns), present participle of pungere to prick. See poignant, point, -ent
1590–1600; < Latin pungent- (stem of pungēns), present participle of pungere to prick. See poignant, point, -ent
Related forms
pun·gen·cy, noun
pun·gent·ly, adverb
non·pun·gen·cy, noun
non·pun·gent, adjective
non·pun·gent·ly, adverb
Synonyms
1. hot, peppery, piquant, sharp. 3. sarcastic, mordant, cutting; acrimonious, bitter. 4. keen, sharp.
1. hot, peppery, piquant, sharp. 3. sarcastic, mordant, cutting; acrimonious, bitter. 4. keen, sharp.
Antonyms
1. mild, bland. 3. soothing. 4. dull.
1. mild, bland. 3. soothing. 4. dull.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To pungent
00:10
Pungent
is a GRE word you need to know.
So is exhort. Does it mean:
| to urge, advise, or caution earnestly; admonish urgently. |
| a. to mark with a spot or spots; to sully or pollute |
Collins
World English Dictionary
pungent (ˈpʌndʒənt) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —adj | |
| 1. | having an acrid smell or sharp bitter flavour |
| 2. | (of wit, satire, etc) biting; caustic |
| 3. | biology ending in a sharp point: a pungent leaf |
| [C16: from Latin pungens piercing, from pungere to prick] | |
| 'pungency | |
| —n | |
| 'pungently | |
| —adv | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
pungent
1590s, "sharp, poignant" (of pain or grief), from L. pungentem (nom. pungens), prp. of pungere "to prick, pierce, sting," related to pugnus "fist" (see pugnacious). Meaning "having powerful odor or taste" first recorded 1660s. Literal sense "sharp, pointed" (c.1600) is
very rare in English, mostly limited to botany.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
Colorless to slightly yellow liquid with a pungent, aromatic, irritating odor.
They may be lightly perfumed with floral scents, imparting hints of citrus or herbal flavors or be deeply pungent.
But even the pungent bulb can't mask your natural scent.
The plant's strong, pungent odor predominates in many regions after a rain.
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