piercing — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A hole made in the body so that jewellery can be worn through it.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   ear piercing

2. An item of jewellery designed to be fitted through a piercing (noun sense 2).

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

Adjective

1. Appearing to look deeply into; penetrating.

   Synonyms

   gimlety

   Examples

   piercing eyes

2. Of temperature, extremely cold so that it penetrates through clothing and shelter.

   Synonyms

   raw

3. Of sound, loud and sharp; shrill.

   Examples

   The piercing noise of the children could be heard two blocks from the elementary school.

   More examples (1)

   In the meantime the saw was stopped and two of the men began filing and sharpening the blades, which produced such a piercing sound that it went through bone and marrow.

Adjective

1. having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions

   Synonyms

   acutediscriminatingincisivekeenknifelikepenetratingpenetrativesharp

   Examples

   an acute observer of politics and politicians

   incisive comments

   More examples (4)

   icy knifelike reasoning

   as sharp and incisive as the stroke of a fang

   penetrating insight

   frequent penetrative observations

2. painful as if caused by a sharp instrument

   Synonyms

   cuttingkeenknifelikestabbinglancinatelancinating

   Examples

   a cutting wind

   keen winds

   More examples (6)

   knifelike cold

   piercing knifelike pains

   piercing cold

   piercing criticism

   a stabbing pain

   lancinating pain