poignant
Americanadjective
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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.
Appeared in the December 24, 2025, print edition as 'A Star Couple’s Poignant Rom-Com'.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 23, 2025
The chemistry: Helen and Jake, as is required by law in rom-coms, are annoyed with each other for much of the movie, and I could have done without the Poignant Twist added near the end.
From Seattle Times • Feb. 6, 2024
Poignant and formally innovative, it earned links from 279 domains.
From Slate • May 17, 2022
Poignant echoes of the pain of a besieged nation reverberated again when Fleming delivered a captivating version of Harold Arlen and E.Y.
From Washington Post • Sep. 27, 2020
And I know, sir, that next to scripts that are Tender and Poignant, you love scripts that have Courage and Integrity.
From "Franny and Zooey" by J. D. Salinger
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.
