What does Poignant mean?

Definitions for Poignant
ˈpɔɪn yənt, ˈpɔɪ nəntpoignant

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word Poignant.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. affecting, poignant, touchingadjective

    arousing affect

    "the homecoming of the released hostages was an affecting scene"; "poignant grief cannot endure forever"; "his gratitude was simple and touching"

  2. poignantadjective

    keenly distressing to the mind or feelings

    "poignant anxiety"

Wiktionary

  1. poignantadjective

    Sharp-pointed; keen.

  2. poignantadjective

    Incisive; penetrating.

    His comments were poignant and witty.

  3. poignantadjective

    neat; eloquent; applicable; relevant.

    A poignant reply will garner more credence than hours of blown smoke.

  4. poignantadjective

    Evoking strong mental sensation, to the point of distress; emotionally moving.

    Flipping through his high school yearbook evoked many a poignant memory of yesteryear.

  5. poignantadjective

    Piquant, pungent.

  6. poignantadjective

    Piercing.

  7. poignantadjective

    Inducing sharp physical pain.

  8. Etymology: From poynaunt, puignant et al., poignant, present participle of poindre, from pungo.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. POIGNANTadjective

    Etymology: poignant, Fr.

    No poignant sauce she knew, nor costly treat,
    Her hunger gave a relish to her meat. Dryden.

    The studious man, whose will was never determined to poignant sauces and delicious wine, is, by hunger and thirst, determined to eating and drinking. John Locke.

    If God makes use of some poignant disgrace to let out the poisonous vapour, is not the mercy greater than the severity of the cure? Robert South, Sermons.

    Full three long hours his tender body did sustain
    Most exquisite and poignant pain. John Norris, Miscel.

ChatGPT

  1. poignant

    Poignant is an adjective used to describe something that evokes a strong emotion, typically of sadness, empathy, or sympathy. It usually refers to something deeply moving, touching, or thought-provoking in a way that lingers in one's emotions or memory.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Poignantadjective

    pricking; piercing; sharp; pungent

  2. Poignantadjective

    fig.: Pointed; keen; satirical

  3. Etymology: [F., p. pr. of poindre to sting, fr. L. pungere to prick, sting. See Pungent.]

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Poignant

    poin′ant, adj. stinging, pricking: sharp: penetrating: acutely painful: satirical: pungent.—n. Poign′ancy, state of being poignant.—adv. Poign′antly. [O. Fr. poignant, poindre—L. pungĕre, to sting.]

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

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Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of Poignant in Chaldean Numerology is: 7

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of Poignant in Pythagorean Numerology is: 6

Examples of Poignant in a Sentence

  1. Dianne Marie Teresa Cole:

    The more profound the loss, the more poignant the grief

  2. Prince Edward:

    It was an experience that so many other families have had to go through during this past year or 18 months and so in that sense, it was particularly poignant, there are an awful lot of people who haven't been able to express the respect that they would like to have done. I think many people would have liked to have been there to support The Queen.

  3. Michael Enright:

    And what was most poignant for me.

  4. Danielle Ludon:

    The sentiments expressed were very, very strong. Some of them were very poignant.

  5. Matt Daybell:

    Sad times are always when you have to bury babies. Thats always a poignant moment.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

Poignant#10000#28144#100000

Translations for Poignant

From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary

  • schmerzhaft, eindringlich, streng, pikant, scharf, packend, treffend, stechend, ergreifend, zugespitzt, spitz, beißend, durchdringend, eindringend, schneidend, schmerzlichGerman
  • οξύς, σπαραχτικός, διαπεραστικός, επίπονος, οδυνηρός, αιχμηρός, αιχημρόςGreek
  • The English word "poignant" can be translated to Esperanto as "pikanta" or "tutkorpa," depending on the context. "Pikanta" is often used to convey the emotional depth or intensity, while "tutkorpa" is more about a deeply felt experience.Esperanto
  • penetrante, incisivo, elocuente, punzo-cortante, conmovedor, puntiagudo, picante, claro, agudoSpanish
  • تکان دهندهPersian
  • kirpeä, pistävä, pikantti, kärkeväFinnish
  • poignantFrench
  • tiamhaidhScottish Gaelic
  • elevenbe vágóHungarian
  • appuntito, emozionante, eloquente, chiaro, toccante, acuto, intenso, commovente, piccante, doloroso, pungente, penetrante, incisivo, affilatoItalian
  • נוגע ללבHebrew
  • 痛烈な, 辛辣な, 鋭いJapanese
  • ಕಟುವಾದKannada
  • The English word "poignant" can be translated to Latin as "acerbus" or "difficilis," depending on the context in which it is used. "Acerbus" conveys a sense of bitterness or sharpness, while "difficilis" suggests difficulty or distress. If you providLatin
  • whakaarohaMāori
  • schrijnendDutch
  • wzruszający, cięty, ostryPolish
  • emocionante, agudo, claro, penetrante, doloroso, incisivo, eloquente, comovente, pontiagudo, pungente, picantePortuguese
  • резкий (о запахе), пронизывающий, острыйRussian
  • starkSwedish
  • thấm thíaVietnamese
  • שאַרףYiddish
  • 凄美Chinese

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"Poignant." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 18 Nov. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/Poignant>.

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