wit

1 of 2

noun

ˈwit 

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

: mind, memory

4

a

: sense sense 2a

—usually used in plural

alone and warming his five wits, the white owl in the belfry sits

—Alfred Tennyson

b(1)

: mental soundness : sanity

—usually used in plural

(2)

: mental capability and resourcefulness : ingenuity

wit

2 of 2

verb

ˈwit 

wist ˈwist  ; witting; present first and third person singular wot ˈwät 

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

Synonyms

Noun

• card
• comedian
• comic
• droll
• farceur
• funnyman
• gagger
• gagman
• gagster
• humorist
• jester
• joker
• jokester
• wag

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

If all goes according to plan, wits will be tested but so will morals, as participants are graded on puzzle acumen as well as personal choices. —Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024

The song really is about these two people trying to top each other with their wit. —Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024

Usually the essayist commissioned to take to the sea is in their first or second flush of youth and is ready to sharpen their wit against the hull of the offending vessel. —Gary Shteyngart, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2024

Friends read him with hilarious ferocity, serious moments are punctured by horny Grindr notifications, and the whole enterprise is enlivened by Carmichael’s quick, contrarian wit. —Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2024

Deputies said a truck, described as a 2001 black Ford F-150 wit Washington state plates, had been reportedly stolen from the scene, and it was assumed the woman’s killer had taken the vehicle. —Stepheny Price, Fox News, 26 Mar. 2024

The through-line for the band, which has kept the same core lineup since 1992, has always been Miller’s mordant wit, which provides for the best moments on American Primitive. —Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2024

The disparate fashion and art pieces are united by a sense of wit that prevails throughout the entire space. —Monica Kim, Vogue, 21 Mar. 2024

Grace brings a rare combination of wit and charm to her performances, leaving audiences captivated and entertained. —Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 17 Mar. 2024

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

Phrases Containing wit

• at one's wit's end
• half-wit
• mother wit
• the wit
• to wit

Kids Definition

wit

1 of 2 verb

ˈwit 

wist ˈwist  ; witting; present 1st & 3rd singular wot ˈwät 

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"