# pungent

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ˈpʌnd͡ʒənt/ · frequency rank #32,546

## Definitions
1. Having a strong odor that stings the nose; said especially of acidic or spicy substances.
2. Having a strong taste that stings the tongue; said especially of hot (spicy) food, which has a strong and sharp or bitter taste.
3. Stinging; acerbic.
4. Having a sharp and stiff point.

## Etymology
Borrowed from Latin pungens (stem pungent-), present participle of pungo (“to sting”). Doublet of poignant.

## Common misspellings (11)
`pnugent`, `ppungent`, `pugnent`, `punegnt`, `pungennt`, `pungentt`, `pungetn`, `punggent`, `pungnet`, `punngent`, `upngent`

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