How to pronounce piquant
Say it like PEE-kunt. Piquant has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PEE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce piquant. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PEE
- kunt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Piquant pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- kuntKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of piquant
American and British speakers say piquant in essentially the same way: /ˈpikənt/ in the US and /ˈpiːkənt/ in the UK.
British respelling: PEE-kunt.
What does piquant mean?
- Stimulating to the senses; engaging; charming.
- Favorably stimulating to the palate; pleasantly spicy; tangy.
- Producing a burning sensation due to the presence of chilies or similar spices; spicy, hot.
Where does piquant come from?
Borrowed from Middle French piquant (“pricking, stimulating, irritating”), present participle of piquer, possibly from Old French pikier (“to prick, sting, nettle”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- savory
- savoury
Questions about saying piquant
How do you pronounce piquant?
Say PEE-kunt. The American pronunciation is /ˈpikənt/. In British English it is /ˈpiːkənt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in piquant?
Piquant has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PEE). Broken into parts: PEE · kunt.
Do Americans and Brits say piquant the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈpikənt/ and the British form is /ˈpiːkənt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.