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pungent
[ puhn-juhnt ]
/ ˈpʌn dʒənt /
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adjective
sharply affecting the organs of taste or smell, as if by a penetrating power; biting; acrid.
acutely distressing to the feelings or mind; poignant.
caustic, biting, or sharply expressive: pungent remarks.
mentally stimulating or appealing: pungent wit.
Biology. piercing or sharp-pointed.
OTHER WORDS FOR pungent
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Origin of pungent
OTHER WORDS FROM pungent
Words nearby pungent
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use pungent in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for pungent
pungent
/ (ˈpʌndʒənt) /
adjective
having an acrid smell or sharp bitter flavour
(of wit, satire, etc) biting; caustic
biology ending in a sharp pointa pungent leaf
Derived forms of pungent
pungency, nounpungently, adverbWord Origin for pungent
C16: from Latin pungens piercing, from pungere to prick
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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