wit

1 of 2

noun

1
a
: the ability to relate seemingly disparate things so as to illuminate or amuse
b(1)
: a talent for banter or persiflage
(2)
: a witty utterance or exchange
c
: clever or apt humor
d
: astuteness of perception or judgment : acumen
2
a
: a person of superior intellect : thinker
b
: an imaginatively perceptive and articulate individual especially skilled in banter or persiflage
3
a
: reasoning power : intelligence
b
4
a
: sense sense 2a
usually used in plural
alone and warming his five wits, the white owl in the belfry sitsAlfred Tennyson
b(1)
: mental soundness : sanity
usually used in plural
(2)
: mental capability and resourcefulness : ingenuity

wit

2 of 2

verb

wist ˈwist How to pronounce wit (audio) ; witting; present first and third person singular wot ˈwät How to pronounce wit (audio)
1
archaic : know
2
archaic : to come to know : learn
Phrases
at one's wit's end or at one's wits' end
: at a loss for a means of solving a problem
Choose the Right Synonym for wit

wit, humor, irony, sarcasm, satire, repartee mean a mode of expression intended to arouse amusement.

wit suggests the power to evoke laughter by remarks showing verbal felicity or ingenuity and swift perception especially of the incongruous.

a playful wit

humor implies an ability to perceive the ludicrous, the comical, and the absurd in human life and to express these usually without bitterness.

a sense of humor

irony applies to a manner of expression in which the intended meaning is the opposite of what is seemingly expressed.

the irony of the title

sarcasm applies to expression frequently in the form of irony that is intended to cut or wound.

given to heartless sarcasm

satire applies to writing that exposes or ridicules conduct, doctrines, or institutions either by direct criticism or more often through irony, parody, or caricature.

a satire on the Congress

repartee implies the power of answering quickly, pointedly, or wittily.

a dinner guest noted for repartee

Examples of wit in a Sentence

Noun She is full of wit and vivacity. His latest book doesn't have the same wit as his earlier books. The book is a collection of his wit and wisdom. She was a famous writer and wit.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Accept a challenge and use wit, intellect and speed to outmaneuver anyone who gets in your way. Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2024 Beyond her claim to the Hollywood throne, Fisher was known for her acerbic wit and frankness about the rough-and-tumble nature of the industry. Fran Hoepfner, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2024 Rahima has grown in wit and confidence and now has assumed an important position in Catherine’s life. Joe Otterson, Variety, 6 Mar. 2024 His comedic brilliance, wit and talent were unmatched. Jp Mangalindan, Peoplemag, 4 Mar. 2024 Rebel Moon shares the pop-culture wit of David Lynch’s 1984 Dune adaptation, but instead of surrealism, Snyder brought kinetic, erotic excitement that elevated the sci-fi genre. Armond White, National Review, 1 Mar. 2024 Red Footwear Is in for Spring By Laura Jackson Jane Austen’s acerbic wit takes center stage in Whit Stillman’s social satire based on her epistolary novel Lady Susan. Radhika Seth, Vogue, 22 Feb. 2024 And, though much of the season is dour in tone, some of its best twists are the product of a dark wit. Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2024 Here are three upcoming Bay Area concerts that should be on your radar: Lyle Lovett — The phenomenally talented country music troubadour brings his great vocal work and wonderful wit — as well as his Acoustic Band — to the Fox Theatre in Redwood City on March 13. Jim Harrington, The Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'wit.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German wizzi knowledge, Old English witan to know

Verb

Middle English witen (1st & 3rd singular present wot, past wiste), from Old English witan (1st & 3rd singular present wāt, past wisse, wiste); akin to Old High German wizzan to know, Latin vidēre to see, Greek eidenai to know, idein to see

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3b

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of wit was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near wit

Cite this Entry

“Wit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wit. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

wit

1 of 2 verb
wist ˈwist How to pronounce wit (audio) ; witting; present 1st & 3rd singular wot ˈwät How to pronounce wit (audio)
archaic
: know, learn

wit

2 of 2 noun
1
: ability to think or reason : intelligence
2
a
: normal mental state
usually used in plural
scared out of my wits
b
: practical good judgment
had the wit to leave quickly
3
a
: a talent for making clever and usually amusing remarks
b
: cleverly amusing remarks
also : one noted for making such remarks
Etymology

Verb

Old English witan "to know"

Noun

Old English wit "mind"

More from Merriam-Webster on wit

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