poignant
American
adjective
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sharply distressing or painful to the feelings
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to the point; cutting or piercing
poignant wit
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keen or pertinent in mental appeal
a poignant subject
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pungent in smell
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of poignant
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English poynaunt, from Middle French poignant, literally, “stinging,” present participle of poindre “to appear, emerge,” earlier “to prick, sting,” from Latin pungere; see pungent
Explanation
Something that is poignant touches you deeply. Watching a poignant YouTube video about baby penguins chasing their mothers, for example, might give you a lump in your throat. Poignant comes from the Latin pungere, "to prick," the same root as pungent. But something that's pungent pricks your sense of smell, whereas poignant refers to something that pricks your emotions, especially in a melancholy way. Movie critics might describe a touching portrayal as poignant if there isn't a dry eye in the house.
Vocabulary lists containing poignant
Grade 12, List 1
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The New SAT: Words to Capture Tone
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The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 7
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
For the romantics: Emily Yoffe’s essay “My Husband’s Other Wife” is a poignant ode to her husband’s first wife, who died of breast cancer tragically young.
From Slate ● Sep. 23, 2026
The story unfolds into a humorous and poignant satire that makes sharp observations about the state of modern masculinity and creative life.
From BBC ● Sep. 22, 2026
In placing the problems of his age on the stage, Dürrenmatt combined tragedy and grotesque comedy, poignant drama and political farce.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 2026
The second-place Silver Lion went to "Possible Love", a poignant relationship study by South Korean auteur Lee Chang-dong, which was one of the most highly praised movies of the festival.
From Barron's ● Sep. 12, 2026
But the stories she told them of moral decay, of the wicked who preyed on the good, were made more poignant by this clutch of arm to breast.
From "Jazz" by Toni Morrison
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
