# piquant

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ˈpiːkənt/ · frequency rank #72,652

## Definitions
1. Causing hurt feelings; scathing, severe.
2. Stimulating to the senses; engaging; charming.
3. Favorably stimulating to the palate; pleasantly spicy; tangy.
4. Producing a burning sensation due to the presence of chilies or similar spices; spicy, hot.

## Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French piquant (“pricking, stimulating, irritating”), present participle of piquer, possibly from Old French pikier (“to prick, sting, nettle”). Doublet of picong. Related to pike.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/piquant