verb

whet

WEHT

verb

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."

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 notes

In 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

Word Forms

whetted past tense, whet past tense, whet plural, whetted plural, whets plural, whets singular, whet singular, whetted singular, whettest singular, whettedst singular, whetteth singular

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “whet” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

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.

Rhymes for whet

het Chet Thet prophet ratchet hatchet crochet ricochet Pinochet

See all rhymes for whet →