English Explanatory Dictionary

poignant

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Sharp-pointed; keen.
  2. Neat; eloquent; applicable; relevant.
  3. Evoking strong mental sensation, to the point of distress; emotionally moving.
  4. Piquant, pungent.
  5. Incisive; penetrating; piercing.
  6. Inducing sharp physical pain.

Pronunciation

/ˈpɔɪ.njənt/ [ˈpɔɪɲ.ənt] /ˈpɔɪ.nənt/ /ˈpɔɪ.ɡnənt/ en-us-poignant.ogg /ˈpoɪ.njənt/ [ˈpoɪɲ.ənt] en-au-poignant.ogg

Word forms

poignant more poignant most poignant

Etymology

From Middle English poynaunt, poynant, borrowed from Anglo-Norman puignant, poynaunt etc., present participle of poindre (“to prick”), from Latin pungō (“prick”). Doublet of pungent.

Synonyms

distressing moving

Related words

poignancy poignantly

Derived words

poignance unpoignant
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