What does poignance mean?
Poignance is a noun that refers to a poignant quality or feeling, especially one that is deeply moving or affecting. It is often used to describe a situation or feeling that is emotionally charged, but not necessarily sad. Poignance can also be used to describe a quality or characteristic that is sensitive or emotional. The word is derived from the French 'poignant', meaning 'prick' or 'pierce', and is often used in literary or poetic contexts to convey a sense of depth or emotion. Poignance is a useful word for describing complex emotions or situations, and is often used in formal or literary writing.
nounA poignant quality or feeling, especially one that is deeply moving or affecting.
- A poignant quality or feeling, especially one that is deeply moving or affecting.
"The poignance of the scene was palpable as the characters said their goodbyes."
"The poignance of the scene was palpable as the characters said their goodbyes."
"The poet's words conveyed a deep sense of poignance, evoking feelings of sadness and loss."
The plural form 'poignances' is used to describe multiple instances of poignance, or to convey a sense of accumulation or intensification.
"The film's poignances were a testament to its emotional depth and complexity."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of poignance
The word 'poignance' is derived from the French 'poignant', which is itself derived from the verb 'poindre', meaning 'to prick' or 'to pierce'. This etymology suggests that the word originally referred to a sharp or piercing quality, but has since evolved to encompass a broader range of meanings related to emotion and sensitivity.
How poignance is actually used
Poignance is often used to describe a situation or feeling that is deeply moving or affecting, but not necessarily sad. It can also be used to describe a quality or characteristic that is sensitive or emotional.