Words / C1

PUNJ-uh-nt/ˈpʌndʒənt/

Pungent means having a strong, sharp smell or taste; also (of remarks) biting: pungent paint, a pungent minute. Smell (already in the dictionary) is everyday; character is not a COSHH file.

Meaning

Having a strong, sharp smell or taste; also (of remarks) biting (from smell, already in the dictionary).

Examples

• “Pungent paint in the store is a COSHH log, not “character”.”
• “Smell is already in this course. Acrid is the close twin. Character is a slogan. A log is a file. Write the substance; then keep the character if the inspector still allows the store.”

Good to know

Strongly sharp in smell, taste, or remark. Everyday: smell (already in the dictionary). “Character” ≠ a COSHH log.

Near in meaning

acrid, sharp, biting

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