noun
tang
TANG/tæŋ/
A distinctive sharpness in taste, smell, or character.
The lemon's tang makes him pucker with a small smile.
Etymology
Middle English tang meant a serpent’s tongue, then regarded as a stinging organ. That physical sting became a figurative sharpness of flavor, the central image behind today’s sensory meaning.
In context
it fills the air with a sharp acrid tang. For the animals who make the pilgrimage nightly, this is all just part of the journey.
More examples
- The sauce had a tang of mustard.
- A salty tang filled the air.
- Her humor carried a bitter tang.
Forms
tang · tangs
Similar words
- sharpness
- The broader quality without a distinctive flavor or character.
- zest
- Often suggests an appealing lively flavor.