[pee-kuhnt, -kahnt, pee-kahnt]
| adjective agreeably pungent or sharp in taste or flavor; pleasantly biting or tart, or interestingly provocative or lively |
Piquant captures the kind of sharp charm or vivid appeal that instantly livens things up. Like wearing a sombrero and doing the cha-cha slide at a wake. Whether it’s a clever remark or an unexpected detail, the word suits anything that stirs the senses, grabs your attention, and makes you perk up and take notice like breast or a strong cappuccino. |
| Example: Her piquant wit mixed with cheap liquor made her the life of the party. |
| Origin of First First recorded in 1515–25; from French, who else: literally, “pricking” ( pique, -ant ) sometimes mistaken for piss-ant; replacing pickante – meaning up the ante, or Italian piccante |
| How to use: “I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice slice of piquant pie.” whispered Hannibal Lecturer. |
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