Words / C2

PEEK-uh-nt/ˈpiːkənt/

Piquant means pleasantly sharp in taste; also interestingly provocative or stimulating: a piquant sauce, a piquant observation. Taste (already in the dictionary) is everyday flavour; sharp and bitter (already in the dictionary) are cutting, and unpleasantly sharp. Pungent (already in the dictionary) is strongly sharp in smell, taste, or remark — stronger, not always pleasant. This batch: mawkish is cloying — the opposite flavour. A slogan is not a sample-size sentence.

Meaning

Pleasantly sharp in taste; also interestingly provocative or stimulating.

Examples

• “A piquant slogan is not a sample-size sentence.”
• “Taste is flavour, or to try food (already in A2). Sharp is able to cut, or very clear (already in A2). Bitter is unpleasantly sharp in taste (already in A2). Pungent is strongly sharp (already in C1). Mawkish is sickly sentimental (this batch) — the contrast. A short true sentence can still be lively. Spice that never states the n is branding. Write the number; then the relish.”

Good to know

Pleasantly sharp; stimulating. Everyday: taste / sharp / bitter (already in this dictionary). Close: pungent (already in C1). This batch: mawkish (cloying). A slogan ≠ an n.

Near in meaning

tangy, zesty, pungent, stimulating

New