piquantly
|pi-quant-ly|
/ˈpiːkənt/
(piquant)
sharp and stimulating
Etymology
'piquant' originates from French, specifically the word 'piquer', where 'piqu-' meant 'to prick'.
'piquant' changed from Old French/Modern French 'piquer' (past participle 'piquant') and was borrowed into English from French (usage established in the 17th–18th centuries) as 'piquant'.
Initially it carried the sense of 'pricking' or 'stinging' (literally 'causing a prickling sensation'), but over time it evolved into the current meaning of 'agreeably sharp or stimulating'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adverb 1
in a pleasantly sharp or stimulating manner, especially referring to taste or smell.
The sauce was piquantly seasoned, giving the dish a lively kick.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/02 10:23