adj
pungent
PUHND-zhuhnt
Pungent (adj) means having a sharp, strong smell or taste that stings the nose or tongue. Example: “The pungent smell of garlic filled the kitchen.”
adj
1
Having a sharp, strong smell or taste that stings the nose or tongue.
"The pungent smell of garlic filled the kitchen."
"The sauce had a pungent, spicy kick."
"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."
— , Notes and News: Lynton & Barnstaple Remains (1951)
"I accidentally dropped the bottle of ammonia and after few seconds, a very pungent stench could be detected."
How to use pungent
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHaving a strong, sharp smell or taste.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
pungent smell
pungent odor
pungent flavor
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more pungent
- Superlative
- most pungent
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ smell of garlic filled the kitchen.
Etymology
From Latin pungens, "stinging," from pungere, "to prick or sting."
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “pungent” mean?
The word “pungent” means having a sharp, strong smell or taste that stings the nose or tongue. In plain terms, having a strong, sharp smell or taste.
How do you pronounce “pungent”?
“Pungent” is pronounced PUHND-zhuhnt (/ˈpʌnd͡ʒənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “pungent” in a sentence?
Here is “pungent” used in a sentence: “The pungent smell of garlic filled the kitchen.”
What part of speech is “pungent”?
“Pungent” is an adjective.
Where does the word “pungent” come from?
The word “pungent” comes from Latin. From Latin pungens, "stinging," from pungere, "to prick or sting.".
