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Piquant Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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piquant

pi-quant

🇺🇸 /ˈpikənt/ · 🇬🇧 /pˈiːkənt/

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

flavor

Having a pleasantly sharp taste or appetizing flavor.

Synonyms

flavorful, spicy, tangy, zesty.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
piquant

Use when you want to describe something that has a pleasantly sharp or stimulating taste or flavor. It can also refer to something that is interestingly exciting or provocative.

  • She prepared a piquant sauce using a blend of exotic spices.
  • The conversation turned piquant when they started debating politics.
spicy

Use when you want to describe food that has a hot and strong flavor usually caused by the addition of spices like chili or pepper. It can also have a negative connotation when referring to something overly intense or biting.

  • The curry was too spicy for my taste.
  • He made a spicy remark that upset everyone in the room.
tangy

Use when you want to describe a flavor that is sharp and slightly sour, often pleasant and refreshing. This term is usually positive and can be used for foods and drinks.

  • The lemonade was tangy and perfect for a hot day.
  • She added a tangy relish to the sandwich.
zesty

Use when you want to describe something that is full of zest, which means it has a lively or vigorous flavor, often with a citrus note. This word is generally positive and implies a fresh, exciting taste.

  • The salad had a zesty dressing that brought all the flavors together.
  • He gave a zesty performance that captivated the audience.
flavorful

Use when you want to describe something that is rich in taste, usually in a pleasing or notable way. This word is generally positive and can be used broadly for food and drink.

  • The chef created a flavorful dish that impressed everyone at the dinner.
  • This tea is very flavorful, with notes of honey and citrus.

Examples of usage

  • The salsa had a piquant kick to it.
  • The piquant spices in the dish made it unforgettable.
  • The chef added piquant herbs to enhance the flavor of the soup.
Context #2 | Adjective

interesting

Having a pleasantly stimulating or exciting quality.

Synonyms

captivating, exciting, provocative, stimulating.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
piquant

Piquant is commonly used when describing flavors or tastes that are pleasantly sharp or spicy.

  • The salsa had a piquant flavor that ignited my taste buds.
  • Her dressing was just the right amount of piquant to make the salad extraordinary.
stimulating

Stimulating is most suitable for situations where something arouses interest, enthusiasm, or energy, often mentally or emotionally.

  • The lecture was intellectually stimulating and left the students with much to ponder.
  • Engaging in stimulating conversation can keep the mind sharp.
exciting

Exciting is suitable for describing events, activities, or experiences that provoke a strong feeling of enthusiasm and eagerness.

  • The trip to the amusement park was an exciting adventure for the kids.
  • I just got some exciting news about my new job!
captivating

Captivating is best used to describe something that holds your attention because it is interesting or beautiful.

  • The movie was so captivating that I couldn't take my eyes off the screen.
  • She gave a captivating performance that left the audience in awe.
provocative

Provocative is often used to describe actions, statements, or art intended to provoke a strong reaction, usually in a controversial or challenging way. This word has a slightly negative connotation.

  • The artist's provocative work sparked a heated debate among the critics.
  • Her provocative remarks were designed to incite anger and disagreement.

Examples of usage

  • Her piquant sense of humor kept everyone entertained.
  • The movie had a piquant plot that kept the audience engaged.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Quick facts about “piquant”

Piquant is a 2-syllable adjective (pi-quant). It is pronounced /ˈpikənt/ in American English and /pˈiːkənt/ in British English. On finesentence.com it has 2 meanings, 8 synonyms, and translations into 21 languages. It ranks #25,730 among the most common English words.

Origin of 'piquant'

The word 'piquant' originated from the French word 'piquant', which means 'pricking' or 'stimulating'. It first appeared in English in the mid-17th century. Over time, 'piquant' has come to describe not only flavors that are pleasantly sharp or appetizing but also anything that is stimulating or exciting.

See also: piquancy.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,730, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.