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piquantness

piquantness

8.4
A pleasantly sharp taste that makes food more exciting
  • noun
  • /ˈpɪkəntnəs/
translation icon : picantez
  • She commented on the piquantness of the chutney, noting its lively and refreshing flavor.

Examples

  • The piquantness of the salsa added excitement to the otherwise simple meal.

  • Chefs admire the piquantness that certain spices bring to their dishes.

  • The piquantness of the dish made it unforgettable.

  • I love the piquantness of Thai cuisine.

  • The piquantness of the sauce enhanced the flavors of the grilled chicken.

  • Many people appreciate the piquantness of fresh herbs in their salads.

  • The chef's secret ingredient gave the soup a delightful piquantness that everyone loved.

Synonyms

tang
vspiquantness
6 5.9

A strong sharp taste or smell that stays on the tongue

is milder and more about pleasant appetizing sharpness
tanginess
vspiquantness
1 4.2

A sharp, pleasantly sour taste like lemon, often with a little spice

is similar but emphasizes appetizing stimulation over tartness
sharpness
vspiquantness
1 2.9

A strong, biting taste or smell that stings the nose

is similar but emphasizes pleasant appetizing stimulation rather than bite
piquancy
vspiquantness
8.2

A sharp, spicy taste or lively quality that makes things more exciting

is the same meaning but is an alternate spelling form
piquance
vspiquantness
9.1

A pleasant spicy taste that makes your mouth feel lively

is the same meaning but is an alternate spelling form
punchiness
vspiquantness
7.0

A strong, sharp taste or smell you notice quickly

is similar but is more about appetizing stimulation than mere intensity
raciness
vspiquantness
8.2

A strong, sharp taste or smell that is easy to notice

is similar but adds a quality of pleasant appetizing sharpness
pepperiness
vspiquantness
7.0

A sharp, spicy taste like pepper that stings the tongue

is the same stimulating idea but less generally appetizing
pungence
vspiquantness
  • Archaic
8.7

A strong, sharp taste or smell that can be unpleasant for some people

is similar but stresses pleasantness over harshness

Antonyms

1 4.1

A lack of strong taste in food

1 9.6

Lack of flavor or interest that makes something dull

How Piquant

pungency
1 7.0
spiciness
2 2.3
piquantness
8.4
blandness
1 4.1

Surface Forms

piquantness singular
piquantnesses plural

Morphology

piquantness = piquant (transparent) = piquant + ness

A straightforward nominalization of the adjective 'piquant' with the productive suffix '-ness', yielding the quality of being piquant.

Etymology

Piquantness comes from French piquer 'to prick' and the Latin pungere 'to prick', the same root behind pungent and pique. Think of a spice that 'pricks' your tongue — that pleasant, lively sharpness is why piquantness means a pleasingly sharp taste.