poignant
POYN-yuhnt
/ˈpɔɪnjənt/
Evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret.
Specifically refers to something that touches the emotions deeply, often with a sense of sadness, nostalgia, or regret, but can also be moving in a bittersweet way. It's not just sad, but sharply affecting.
The story behind the word. 'Poignant' comes from the Old French 'poignant,' meaning 'pricking, sharp,' which itself derives from the Latin 'pungere,' meaning 'to prick, pierce, sting.' This origin explains why a poignant experience 'pricks' or 'pierces' your emotions, leaving a sharp, often sorrowful, impression.
Word relationships
- moving: A broader term for anything that stirs emotions; 'poignant' is more specific to sadness/regret.
- heartbreaking: Implies extreme sadness, often more intense than 'poignant'.
- evocative: Can evoke any strong emotion, whereas 'poignant' leans towards sadness or wistfulness.
- unaffecting: Lacking emotional impact.
- joyful: Expressing great happiness.
- cheering: Bringing happiness or comfort.
Word family
- poignancy (noun): The quality of evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret.
Collocations
- poignant moment
- poignant reminder
- poignant memory
- poignant scene
Example sentences
- "The old letter contained a poignant message from his grandfather, written just before he passed away." Describing a touching memory.
- "The final scene, with its quiet farewell, was particularly poignant and brought tears to many eyes." Analyzing a scene in a film.
Memory hook
A 'POIGNANT' moment 'PRICKS' your heart with emotion, like a sharp 'POINT'. Sharply sad
When not to use
Do not use 'poignant' for merely sad or unpleasant things; it implies a deeper, more affecting emotional resonance.
Fun facts
- The word 'puncture' shares the same Latin root 'pungere'.
- Originally, 'poignant' could also refer to something physically sharp or pungent in taste or smell.
Also appears in
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.