verb
whet
WEHT
Whet (verb) means to sharpen a blade or tool by rubbing it against a stone. Example: “He whetted the kitchen knife on a small stone before slicing the vegetables.”
verb
1
To sharpen a blade or tool by rubbing it against a stone.
"He whetted the kitchen knife on a small stone before slicing the vegetables."
"The butcher whets his cleaver every morning before opening."
2
To make an appetite, interest, or desire stronger.
"The smell of garlic whetted her appetite before dinner even arrived."
"The trailer was enough to whet fans' appetite for the new film."
How to use whet
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo sharpen something physically, or to sharpen someone's appetite or interest.
Common mistake
Almost always seen today in the fixed phrase "whet your appetite" — not "wet" your appetite, a common misspelling based on how it sounds.
Common pairings
whet your appetite
whet a blade
whet someone's curiosity
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Word forms
- Plural
- whets
- Third person singular
- whets
- Past tense
- whetted
- Archaic forms
- whettest, whettedst, whetteth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The butcher _____ his cleaver every morning before opening.
Etymology
From Old English hwettan, "to sharpen" or, figuratively, "to spur someone on" — the physical and mental senses have travelled together since Old English.
Related words
Rhymes for whet
See all rhymes for whet →Frequently asked questions
What does “whet” mean?
The word “whet” means to sharpen a blade or tool by rubbing it against a stone. In plain terms, to sharpen something physically, or to sharpen someone's appetite or interest.
How do you pronounce “whet”?
“Whet” is pronounced WEHT (/ˈwɛt/ in IPA).
How do you use “whet” in a sentence?
Here is “whet” used in a sentence: “He whetted the kitchen knife on a small stone before slicing the vegetables.”
What part of speech is “whet”?
“Whet” is a verb.
Where does the word “whet” come from?
The word “whet” comes from Old English. From Old English hwettan, "to sharpen" or, figuratively, "to spur someone on" — the physical and mental senses have travelled together since Old English.
How many meanings does “whet” have?
“Whet” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to sharpen a blade or tool by rubbing it against a stone.
