Piquant

By Deane Barker • •

Definition: provocative, stimulating

This is used in food descriptions a lot. Something that is “piquant” has a sharp taste to it.

A person or statement that is “piquant” is something aggressive or provocative – something that stands out.

It’s from the French word for “prickly.”

Why I Looked It Up

In Fair Game, the author writes:

[ He said,] “Fuck ‘em. Go back with your head high and make ‘em sweat.”

… His confidence in me and piquant advice were just what I needed to hear.

Postscript

Added on

In the daily Connections game from the NY Times, four words were grouped under the category “Piquancy.”