whet

¹whet

verb \ˈhwet, ˈwet\

whet·tedwhet·ting

Definition of WHET

transitive verb

1

: to sharpen by rubbing on or with something (as a stone) <whet a knife>

2

: to make keen or more acute : excite, stimulate <whet the appetite> <whetted her curiosity>

— whet·ter noun

Examples of WHET

1. We had some wine to whet our appetites.
2. The ads are trying to whet booksellers' interest.

Origin of WHET

Middle English whetten, from Old English hwettan; akin to Old High German wezzen to whet, waz sharp

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to WHET

Synonyms: edge, grind, hone, stone, strop, sharpen

Antonyms: blunt, dull

Related Words: file

Near Antonyms: buff, burnish, gloss, polish, round, smooth

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Rhymes with WHET

bet, debt, fret, get, het, jet, let, Lett, met, net, pet, ret, set, stet, sweat, Tet, threat, vet, wet, yet