noun
wisecrack
WYZE-krak
Wisecrack (noun) means a quick, clever and slightly cheeky remark, often made at someone else's expense. Example: “He could not resist a wisecrack about the manager's new haircut.”
noun
1
A quick, clever and slightly cheeky remark, often made at someone else's expense.
"He could not resist a wisecrack about the manager's new haircut."
"One more wisecrack and you can wait outside."
verb
1
To make such a remark.
""Nice of you to join us," she wisecracked as he slid into his seat."
How to use wisecrack
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA cheeky, clever remark.
When to use it
Informal, with a mid-twentieth-century American flavour that many speakers now find slightly dated.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
make a wisecrack
a wisecrack about
spare me the wisecracks
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He could not resist a _____ about the manager's new haircut.
Etymology
A compound of wise, in the slang sense of impudent or knowing, and crack, a sharp spoken remark; American in origin.
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a wisecrack and a joke?
A joke is usually a self-contained story or setup built to get a laugh. A wisecrack is a one-off remark thrown into a conversation, and it nearly always has a needling or sarcastic edge that a plain joke need not have.
Is calling someone a wisecracker an insult?
It is mildly critical. It suggests someone who cannot resist a smart remark and does not always know when to stop, though it is far softer than calling them a smart alec.
What is the meaning of wisecrack?
"wisecrack" (noun) means a quick, clever and slightly cheeky remark, often made at someone else's expense.
What is another word for wisecrack?
Other words for "wisecrack" include quip, gibe, crack, one-liner, witticism, sally.
