pungent

Borrowed from Latin pungens (stem pungent-), present participle of pungo (“to sting”). Doublet of poignant.

• enPR: pŭnjənt, IPA^(key): /ˈpʌnd͡ʒənt/

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pungent (comparative more pungent, superlative most pungent)

1. Having a strong odor that stings the nose; said especially of acidic or spicy substances.

   I accidentally dropped the bottle of ammonia and after few seconds, a very pungent stench could be detected.

   • 1951 February, “Notes and News: Lynton & Barnstaple Remains”, in Railway Magazine, page 136:

     Pilton Yard, the Lynton & Barnstaple headquarters, has been taken over by a fur trading firm, and would-be trespassers to the old engine-shed are turned back by the pungent odour of heaps of carcases.

   • 1991, Paul Chadwick, Concrete: American Christmas, Dark Horse Books:

     I can almost smell the fir scent... resinous, pungent.

2. Having a strong taste that stings the tongue; said especially of hot (spicy) food, which has a strong and sharp or bitter taste.
3. (figurative) Stinging; acerbic.

   The critic gave a pungent review.

4. (botany) Having a sharp and stiff point.

• pungence
• pungency
• pungently

pungent

1. third-person plural future active indicative of pungō