wit
wiht
Wit (noun) means the ability to say clever, funny things quickly. Example: “The comedian's dry wit kept the whole audience laughing all evening.”
noun
1
The ability to say clever, funny things quickly.
"The comedian's dry wit kept the whole audience laughing all evening."
"Her quick wit made her the star of every dinner party."
"He responded to the heckler with sharp wit."
2
Practical intelligence or good sense (often plural, "wits").
"She lived by her wits when she first moved to the big city."
"You will need your wits about you on that busy mountain path."
"It took quick wits to escape that situation unharmed."
How to use wit
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCleverness — either being funny on the spot, or thinking sharply under pressure.
Common pairings
a battle of wits
quick wit
keep your wits about you
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Word forms
- Plural
- wits
- Third person singular
- wot
- Past tense
- wist
- Archaic forms
- wost, wottest, wistest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The comedian's dry _____ kept the whole audience laughing all evening.
Etymology
From Old English witt, meaning mind or understanding, tracing back to an ancient root meaning "to know" — the same root behind "wise" and "wisdom."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for wit
See all rhymes for wit →Frequently asked questions
What does “wit” mean?
The word “wit” means the ability to say clever, funny things quickly. In plain terms, cleverness — either being funny on the spot, or thinking sharply under pressure.
How do you pronounce “wit”?
“Wit” is pronounced wiht (/wɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “wit” in a sentence?
Here is “wit” used in a sentence: “Her quick wit made her the star of every dinner party.”
What is another word for “wit”?
Words with a similar meaning to “wit” include repartee.
What part of speech is “wit”?
“Wit” is a noun.
Where does the word “wit” come from?
The word “wit” comes from Old English. From Old English witt, meaning mind or understanding, tracing back to an ancient root meaning "to know" — the same root behind "wise" and "wisdom.".
Is “wit” a common word?
“Wit” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “wit” have?
“Wit” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the ability to say clever, funny things quickly.
What is the difference between wit and humour?
"Wit" is the ability to say clever, funny things quickly, emphasising sharpness and intelligence, while "humour" is the broader quality of being amusing or of finding things funny. All wit is a kind of humour, but humour need not be quick or clever.
What is the difference between wit and sarcasm?
"Wit" is clever, quick humour that shows intelligence, while sarcasm is a sharp remark that mocks or means the opposite of what is said. Sarcasm can be witty, but wit is broader and need not be cutting.
What are common phrases using wit or wits?
Common expressions include "at your wit's end," "scared out of your wits," "keep your wits about you," and "a battle of wits." Several of these use "wits" in the sense of practical intelligence rather than humour.
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