pungent
UK: ˈpʌn.dʒənt | US: ˈpʌn.dʒənt
adj. having a sharply strong taste or smell
adj. (figuratively) sharply perceptive or caustic in expression
pungent = pung<sharp> + ent<adjective suffix>
- pung (from Latin pungere, meaning "to prick or sting")
- ent (Latin-derived suffix forming adjectives, indicating a quality or state)
Etymology Origin:
The word pungent traces back to the Latin verb pungere ("to prick"), reflecting its core idea of sharpness—whether literal (as in a stinging smell) or metaphorical (as in biting criticism). The suffix -ent turns the action into a descriptive quality, much like fluent ("flowing") or ardent ("burning"). Over time, pungent narrowed from general "sharpness" to specifically describe intense tastes/smells, retaining its figurative edge.
The pungent aroma of garlic filled the kitchen.
Blue cheese has a pungent flavor that some people dislike.
Her pungent remarks during the debate left the audience stunned.
The air was thick with the pungent smell of burning rubber.
He criticized the policy with pungent wit, exposing its flaws.