wit

noun

\ ˈwit

Definition of wit

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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

2a : a person of superior intellect : thinker

b : an imaginatively perceptive and articulate individual especially skilled in banter or persiflage

3a : reasoning power : intelligence

b : mind, memory

4a : 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

at one's wit's end or at one's wits' end

: at a loss for a means of solving a problem

wit

verb

\ ˈwit

wist\ˈwist

\; witting; present first and third person singular wot\ˈwät

Definition of wit (Entry 2 of 2)

1 archaic : know

2 archaic : to come to know : learn

Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about wit

Keep scrolling for more

Choose the Right Synonym for wit

Noun

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

His co-workers and friends will sorely miss his wonderful sense of humor and quick wit. — Hartford Courant, courant.com, "Brian M. Kleinhen," 11 July 2018 DeWitt is an inventive stylist, a ruthlessly curious intellectual, and a sparkling wit; her stories, accordingly, tend to deal in language, philosophy, and humor before touching plot and character. — Brittany Allen, Longreads, "Getting Tricked by Helen DeWitt," 9 July 2018 With a flurry of releases sweeping the hip-hop culture by storm during the month of June, one artist who made sure not to get lost in the pileup has been A Boogie wit da Hoodie. — Carl Lamarre, Billboard, "A Boogie wit da Hoodie Says He Has Six Records With Young Thug, Teases EP With Tory Lanez: Exclusive," 25 June 2018 Charley is remembered for his sense of humor and wit, and for his insatiable curiosity for more knowledge, from the cutting edge of scientific research as much as from literature, art, music, and life itself. — OrlandoSentinel.com, "Deaths in Central Florida: 6/13," 13 June 2018 Her mother calls Cara a feisty, petite powerhouse with big marble eyes and long eyelashes and a funny wit to match. — Wayne Drash, CNN, "Girl has blunt message for Aetna after her brain surgery request was denied," 11 Feb. 2018 For campus libraries, the toolkit would provide two to four tablet carts wit 30 tablets for teachers to use. — Kristi Nix, Houston Chronicle, "Fort Bend ISD officials propose $178 million technology package for not-yet-approved school bond election," 13 July 2018 The halting camaraderie that develops among them is a marvel of ensemble acting, with dialogue punctuated by the playwright’s lacerating wit. — James Hebert, sandiegouniontribune.com, "A struggle to cling to identity is at heart of La Jolla Playhouse's quietly moving 'Queens'," 10 July 2018 In spite of his intelligence and wit, his transformations and peregrinations, Neruda was, or learned to be, a simple man. — Benjamin Kunkel, The New Republic, "The partisan world of Pablo Neruda," 2 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'wit.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for wit

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