pungent

/ˈpʌndʒənt/

strong and sharp in smell or taste

The pungent aroma of garlic filled the kitchen.

The strong, sharp smell of garlic was very noticeable.

formalinformal

Having a strong, sharp, and often unpleasant smell or taste

The pungent odor of the cheese made some people wrinkle their noses.

The strong, sharp smell of the cheese was unpleasant to some.

The pungent flavor of the hot sauce added a kick to the dish.

The strong, sharp taste of the hot sauce made the dish spicier.

Often used to describe strong smells or tastes that can be either pleasant or unpleasant, depending on context.

Collocations

pungent smella strong, sharp smellpungent odora strong, sharp smell, often unpleasantpungent flavora strong, sharp taste

Use 'pungent' to describe strong, sharp smells or tastes, whether pleasant or unpleasant.

From Latin 'pungere' (to prick or sting), related to the sharp sensation of strong smells or tastes.

Can be used for both pleasant and unpleasant strong smells or tastes, but often implies intensity rather than pleasantness.

pung

to prick or sting

root

-ent

having the quality of

suffix

English Dictionary