noun
Uncommon
tang
TANG
Tang (noun) means a sharp, distinctive taste or smell. Example: “The cheese had a strong tang that lingered.”
noun
1
A sharp, distinctive taste or smell.
"The cheese had a strong tang that lingered."
"Sea air carries a salty tang."
"Lemon juice adds a pleasant tang to the creamy sauce."
2
A brightly colored saltwater fish often kept in reef aquariums.
"A blue tang darted through the coral."
"The aquarium shop sold a yellow tang to a nervous new owner."
"Tangs are active swimmers and need plenty of space in a tank."
How to use tang
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sharp, pungent taste or smell — or, separately, a type of colorful reef fish.
Common pairings
a tang of citrus
salty tang
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Word forms
- Plural
- tangs
- Third person singular
- tangs
- Past tense
- tanged
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The cheese had a strong _____ that lingered.
Etymology
Imitative in origin, originally describing a sharp ringing sound before extending to sharp tastes and smells.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for tang
See all rhymes for tang →Frequently asked questions
What does “tang” mean?
The word “tang” means a sharp, distinctive taste or smell. In plain terms, a sharp, pungent taste or smell — or, separately, a type of colorful reef fish.
How do you pronounce “tang”?
“Tang” is pronounced TANG (/ˈtæŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “tang” in a sentence?
Here is “tang” used in a sentence: “The cheese had a strong tang that lingered.”
What part of speech is “tang”?
“Tang” is a noun.
Is “tang” a common word?
“Tang” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “tang” have?
“Tang” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a sharp, distinctive taste or smell.
What is the difference between tang and taste?
Tang specifically refers to a sharp, distinctive taste or smell, often with a pungent or zesty quality, while taste is the general sense or flavor of something without implying sharpness. Foods described as having a tang, like citrus or vinegar, are noted for a noticeably strong, piercing flavor.
Is tang used for smells as well as tastes?
Yes, tang can describe a sharp, distinctive smell as well as a taste, such as the tang of salt air near the ocean. Both senses share the idea of a strong, penetrating quality that stands out.
What is a tang fish?
A tang is also a brightly colored saltwater fish often kept in reef aquariums, unrelated to the taste or smell sense of the word. This is a separate meaning describing a type of marine fish popular in the aquarium hobby.
