Added 9 October 2026
piquant
/ˈpiːkənt/ adjective
adjective Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about piquant at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- Having an agreeably pungent taste.
-
Engagingly stimulating or provocative.
a piquant wit
-
Attracting or delighting.
an engaging frankness
Origin
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.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)