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
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"
poignantadjective
keenly distressing to the mind or feelings
"poignant anxiety"
Wiktionary
poignantadjective
Sharp-pointed; keen.
poignantadjective
Incisive; penetrating.
His comments were poignant and witty.
poignantadjective
neat; eloquent; applicable; relevant.
A poignant reply will garner more credence than hours of blown smoke.
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.
poignantadjective
Piquant, pungent.
poignantadjective
Piercing.
poignantadjective
Inducing sharp physical pain.
Etymology: From poynaunt, puignant et al., poignant, present participle of poindre, from pungo.
Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
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
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
Poignantadjective
pricking; piercing; sharp; pungent
Poignantadjective
fig.: Pointed; keen; satirical
Etymology: [F., p. pr. of poindre to sting, fr. L. pungere to prick, sting. See Pungent.]
Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
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.]
Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of poignant in Chaldean Numerology is: 7
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of poignant in Pythagorean Numerology is: 6
Examples of poignant in a Sentence
We actually got a chance to rehearse our scenes together and have some great poignant moments, when you meet Gilbert Shepard you understand what makes Fin tick. It's kind of nice. It's very grounded and it's wonderful character development, because you can't always be slicing through sharks. You've got to ground it in a humanity. This movie does it very nicely with Fin Shepard and his family.
There are few sorrows, however poignant, in which a good income is of no avail.
Most of you have been where I am tonight. The crash site of unrequited love. You ask yourself, How did I get here What was it about Was it her smile Was it the way she crossed her legs, the turn of her ankle, the poignant vulnerability of her slender wrists What are these elusive and ephemeral things that ignite passion in the human heart That's an age-old question. It's perfect food for thought on a bright midsummer's night.
After I saw the cowardly way James Foley was killed, I knew I had to do something, and what was most poignant for me.
“From Conrad Aiken to Flannery O’Connor to Midnight, Savannah has always been a literary town. But certainly one of her most consistently excellent—and consistently underrated—writers is the man known as Aberjhani. Known for his nationally published short stories and poetry Aberjhani has received critical acclaim for his ability to encapsulate the Southern black experience in a sensitive and poignant way that’s accessible to readers of any race or region.” --from All That Jazz
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Translations for poignant
From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary
- ergreifend, eindringlich, eindringend, schneidend, schmerzlich, schmerzhaft, streng, treffend, packend, zugespitzt, beißend, stechend, pikant, durchdringend, spitz, scharfGerman
- διαπεραστικός, σπαραχτικός, οξύς, οδυνηρός, αιχμηρός, αιχημρός, επίπονοςGreek
- agudo, elocuente, claro, incisivo, punzo-cortante, conmovedor, picante, penetrante, puntiagudoSpanish
- تکان دهندهPersian
- kärkevä, kirpeä, pistävä, pikanttiFinnish
- poignantFrench
- tiamhaidhScottish Gaelic
- elevenbe vágóHungarian
- penetrante, chiaro, toccante, intenso, pungente, piccante, commovente, acuto, eloquente, appuntito, affilato, incisivo, emozionante, dolorosoItalian
- נוגע ללבHebrew
- 辛辣な, 痛烈な, 鋭いJapanese
- ಕಟುವಾದKannada
- whakaarohaMāori
- schrijnendDutch
- wzruszający, cięty, ostryPolish
- incisivo, agudo, penetrante, claro, picante, emocionante, pungente, eloquente, comovente, doloroso, pontiagudoPortuguese
- резкий (о запахе), пронизывающий, острыйRussian
- starkSwedish
- thấm thíaVietnamese
- שאַרףYiddish
- 凄美Chinese
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"poignant." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2023. Web. 9 Dec. 2023. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/poignant>.
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