noun

twit

twiht

Twit (noun) means a silly or foolish person. Example: “Don't be such a twit — read the instructions first.”

noun

A silly or foolish person.

"Don't be such a twit — read the instructions first."

verb

To tease or mock someone, usually in a light-hearted way.

"His friends twitted him about his terrible singing."

How to use twit

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA mild insult for someone foolish, or to tease someone good-naturedly.

When to use it

Informal and mostly British; mild rather than harsh.

Easily confused with

twerp → twitter →

Word forms

twitted past tense, twit plural, twitted plural, twits plural, twits plural, twits plural, twits singular, twit singular, twitted singular, twittest singular, twittedst singular, twitteth singular

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Can you complete this real example?

Don't be such a _____ — read the instructions first.

Etymology

From an older word atwite meaning "to blame or reproach," which goes back to Old English ætwītan.

Origin: Old English

Rhymes for twit

wit

See all rhymes for twit →

Frequently asked questions

What does “twit” mean?

The word “twit” means a silly or foolish person. In plain terms, a mild insult for someone foolish, or to tease someone good-naturedly.

How do you pronounce “twit”?

“Twit” is pronounced twiht (/twɪt/ in IPA).

How do you use “twit” in a sentence?

Here is “twit” used in a sentence: “Don't be such a twit — read the instructions first.”

What part of speech is “twit”?

Depending on how it is used, “twit” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “twit” come from?

The word “twit” comes from Old English. From an older word atwite meaning "to blame or reproach," which goes back to Old English ætwītan.

How many meanings does “twit” have?

“Twit” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a silly or foolish person.