piercing

[peer-sing]

adjective

1. loud or shrill, as the quality of a voice.

   Synonyms: screeching, strident, grating

2. extremely cold or bitter.

   a piercing wind.

3. appearing to gaze deeply or penetratingly into something.

   piercing eyes.

4. perceptive or aware; acute.

   a piercing mind.

5. sarcastic or caustic; cutting.

   piercing remarks.

6. having an unpleasantly intense quality or effect.

   a piercing drought.

noun

1. an act or instance of making a hole or opening in something.

   The cleverly engineered design allows for a safe and smooth piercing of the hose for an easy, watertight installation.

2. the practice or technique of puncturing a body part so that jewelry can be inserted.

   The shop is super clean and they're obviously experts in piercing.

3. a hole or opening made by puncturing: An infected navel piercing can usually be treated with antibiotics.

   The five wall piercings were possibly a reference to the Five Holy Wounds of Christ.

   An infected navel piercing can usually be treated with antibiotics.

4. a ring, stud, or other piece of jewelry inserted through a hole in a body part.

   He wears five silver piercings on his ears.

piercing

/ ˈpɪəsɪŋ /

adjective

1. (of a sound) sharp and shrill

2. (of eyes or a look) intense and penetrating

3. (of an emotion) strong and deeply affecting

4. (of cold or wind) intense or biting

noun

1. the art or practice of piercing body parts for the insertion of jewellery

2. an instance of the piercing of a body part

Other Word Forms

• piercingly adverb
• piercingness noun
• unpiercing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of piercing¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; pierce, -ing ²

Example Sentences

Dark-haired, with piercing eyes, Amelia tried to maintain a normal teenage life.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

That too many pardon the worst sins of the wealthiest evildoers is the fatal social flaw “The Beast in Me” observes with a piercing stare.

Read more on Salon

He suggested the central pair's friendship "rings false", adding: "What should be piercing, impassioned moments are by turns frivolous and sappy."

Read more on BBC

Before I can jump in, a piercing alarm sounds through the stairwell.

Read more on Literature

“It surely has, Miss Lumley. Just look on the mail tray,” the girl replied in her piercing mouse squeak of a voice.

Read more on Literature

Related Words

• biting 
• blaring www.thesaurus.com
• earsplitting 
• fierce 
• high-pitched 
• painful 
• penetrating 
• shrill