What is the Latin word for pungent?

The usual Latin words for “pungent” are acerbus, malignus, aculeātus; also mordāx, crīminōsus, acuō. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

English → Latin

“pungent” in Latin

acerbusharsh, bitter, unripe, sour, premature, not yet marriageable; sharp, severe, bitter (i.e., extremely painful); rough, vi malignuswicked, malicious, stingy; spiteful; malignant, malign aculeātusprickly; barbed; stinging, barbed (metaphorical)mordāxbiting; snappish; tart; cutting; caustic crīminōsusaccusatory, reproachful; slanderous, vituperative; shameful, criminal acuōto make pointed, sharpen, whet; to exercise, practice, improve; to spur, stimulate, arouse salsussalty, briny; sharp, witty mordeōto bite (into); nibble, gnaw; to nip, sting; to eat, consume, devour, erode

The English word pungent itself goes back to Latin pungō, through pungens.

Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864

pungent

acerbus (bitter): malignus (malicious): aculeatus, mordax (pointed, biting): criminosus (reproachful; of a speech, etc.): acutus (sharp): salsus (PROP., seasoned with salt; then, also, IMPROP., having a witty piquancy; of men, speeches, etc.). To be pungent, mordere; aculeum habere (of speeches, writings): acerbum esse in vituperando (in blaming), in conviciis (in scolding; both of persons).

Quick answer

What is the Latin word for pungent?: The usual Latin words for “pungent” are acerbus, malignus, aculeātus; also mordāx, crīminōsus, acuō. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.