adj
Uncommon
poignant
POY-nyuhnt
Poignant (adj) means Deeply moving, often with a touch of sadness. Example: “The film's final scene was quietly poignant.”
adj
1
Deeply moving, often with a touch of sadness.
"The film's final scene was quietly poignant."
"She wrote a poignant tribute to her late father."
2
Sharply relevant or incisive.
"His poignant observation cut right to the heart of the debate."
How to use poignant
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething that stirs up strong, often bittersweet, emotion.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "pungent" (a sharp smell or taste) — related in origin but different in meaning today.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
poignant moment
poignant reminder
deeply poignant
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more poignant
- Superlative
- most poignant
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The film's final scene was quietly _____.
Etymology
From Old French poindre, "to prick," from Latin pungere, "to pierce, sting" — the same root as "pungent."
Related words
Rhymes for poignant
See all rhymes for poignant →Frequently asked questions
What does “poignant” mean?
The word “poignant” means deeply moving, often with a touch of sadness. In plain terms, something that stirs up strong, often bittersweet, emotion.
How do you pronounce “poignant”?
“Poignant” is pronounced POY-nyuhnt (/ˈpɔɪ.njənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “poignant” in a sentence?
Here is “poignant” used in a sentence: “The film's final scene was quietly poignant.”
What part of speech is “poignant”?
“Poignant” is an adjective.
Where does the word “poignant” come from?
The word “poignant” comes from Latin. From Old French poindre, "to prick," from Latin pungere, "to pierce, sting" — the same root as "pungent.".
Is “poignant” a common word?
“Poignant” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “poignant” have?
“Poignant” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: deeply moving, often with a touch of sadness.
