piquancy

[ pee-kuhn-see, -kahn- ]

noun

1. the fact or quality of being pleasantly strong, sharp, or tart in taste or flavor:

   Piquillo peppers, with their smoky, sweet piquancy, have a unique and irresistible flavor.

2. the fact or quality of being interestingly provocative, stimulating, lively, attractive, etc.:

   These pithy sayings of his have more piquancy than objective truth.

Word History and Origins

Origin of piquancy¹

piqu(ant) ( def ) + -ancy ( def )

Example Sentences

Finally, a dose of horseradish gives the sauce a welcome piquancy.

From Washington Times

If you’re not from Alabama, mayonnaise may sound like a strange ingredient for a barbecue sauce, but its creamy piquancy goes great with smoked chicken, pulled pork and roast beef.

From Seattle Times

While there were moments of piquancy and verve in the winds and brasses, the strings tamped out little flashes of fire and spark in favor of a plusher, more rounded sound.

From New York Times

The royal real estate shuffle took on added piquancy with The Sun’s report that the king had offered Frogmore Cottage to Prince Andrew, his disgraced younger brother.

From New York Times

It wasn’t such an easy match for Stutzmann, however, who emphasized pleasant piquancy over pointed commentary, and carefully burnished the work’s rough-hewn edges.

From New York Times