piercing
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.a sound that is very high, loud, and uncomfortable to hear.
adj.describing a sound that is shrill, high-pitched, and seemingly capable of penetrating the ears.
Simple“A piercing scream came from the dark hallway, making everyone stop and look.”
In context“The piercing whistle of the steam engine echoed through the valley, signaling the train's arrival long before it appeared on the horizon.”
- 02 C1 Advanced
adj.a look from someone's eyes that makes you feel like they can see your secrets.
adj.describing a gaze or look that is intense and seems to discover one's inner thoughts.
Simple“The detective looked at me with piercing blue eyes while I told my story.”
In context“She fixed him with a piercing gaze that seemed to strip away his carefully prepared excuses, forcing him to look away in discomfort.”
Synonyms - 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.wind or weather that is so cold it feels like it is going through your clothes.
adj.describing weather or temperature that is bitingly cold and penetrates protective layers.
Simple“A piercing wind blew across the lake, making us wish we had brought heavier coats.”
In context“Despite his thick woollen sweater, the piercing winter gale reached his skin, numbing his fingers within minutes of stepping outside.”
- 04 B1 Intermediate
n.a hole made in your body, like your ear or nose, for wearing jewelry.
n.a hole made in the skin or cartilage for the purpose of inserting jewelry; also refers to the jewelry itself.
Simple“She decided to get a nose piercing to celebrate her eighteenth birthday.”
In context“The studio specializes in sterile body piercings and stocks a wide variety of surgical-grade titanium hoops and studs.”
Synonymsperforationpuncture
“People who have a fresh cut, including a new piercing or tattoo, are advised to stay out of water that could be home to Vibrio vulnificus .”
From pierce + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.