pungent

The definition of pungent is something with a strong smell or taste, or something directly to the point.

(adjective)

  1. An example of something pungent is the smell of garlic.
  2. An example of a pungent remark is the witty satire of a comedian.

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See pungent in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

  1. producing a sharp sensation of taste and smell; acrid
  2. sharp and piercing to the mind; poignant; painful
  3. sharply penetrating; expressive; biting: pungent language
  4. keenly clever; stimulating

Origin: L pungens, prp. of pungere, to prick, puncture: see point

Related Forms:

See pungent in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective
  1. Affecting the organs of taste or smell with a sharp acrid sensation.
  2. a. Penetrating, biting, or caustic: pungent satire.
    b. To the point; sharp: pungent talks during which the major issues were confronted.
  3. Pointed: a pungent leaf.

Origin:

Origin: Latin pungēns, pungent-

Origin: , present participle of pungere, to sting; see peuk- in Indo-European roots

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Related Forms:

  • punˈgen·cy noun
  • punˈgent·ly adverb

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