pungent
Say it: PUN-junt /ˈpʌndʒənt/ · adjective
What “pungent” means
Having a strong, sharp smell or taste.
Example: “The pungent smell of garlic told us dinner was nearly ready.”
When to use it
Use it in everyday descriptions of smells or flavours that hit you strongly, like mature cheese or raw onion.
Similar words
strong, sharp, acrid
Where it comes from
From Latin pungere, "to prick."
Quick check
You open a tub of mature cheese, and its sharp smell makes your nose wrinkle. How would you describe it?
pungent or fragrant?
Show the answer
pungent
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