wit

play

verb \ˈwit\

Definition of wit

wist

play \ˈwist\;

witting

present first and third person singular

wot

play \ˈwät\

1 archaic : know
2 archaic : to come to know : learn

See wit defined for kids

Origin and Etymology of wit

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

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First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

wit

noun

Definition of wit

1a : mind, memoryb : reasoning power : intelligence
2a : sense 2a —usually used in plural alone and warming his five wits, the white owl in the belfry sits — Alfred Tennysonb (1) : mental soundness : sanity —usually used in plural (2) : mental capability and resourcefulness : ingenuity
3a : astuteness of perception or judgment : acumenb : the ability to relate seemingly disparate things so as to illuminate or amusec (1) : a talent for banter or persiflage (2) : a witty utterance or exchanged : clever or apt humor
4a : a person of superior intellect : thinkerb : an imaginatively perceptive and articulate individual especially skilled in banter or persiflage

at one's wit's end

at one's wits' end

: at a loss for a means of solving a problem

See wit defined for English-language learners

Examples of wit in a Sentence

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 of wit from the Web

The copious invention of Brown's statements inspired a characteristically edgy response from Alden, whose solo bristled with bent notes, punctuating silences, pointed tone and plenty of wit and whimsy.

— howard reich, chicagotribune.com, "Top-notch jazz in an unusual spot — a shopping mall", 27 June 2017
There may not be the sublime poetry of the piano and clarinet concertos Mozart would write in his 30s, but the musical grace and wit in this violin concerto could only come from the pen of one composer.

— christian hertzog, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Augustin Hadelich, orchestra astounding in Mainly Mozart concert", 23 June 2017
To wit, one of Kendall's outfit posts has a lowkey soigné/lounging vibe, where she's dressed only in a crisp white shirt and adorable leopard undies.

— lilian min, Cosmopolitan, "Kendall Jenner Channeled '60s Spirit and Style In Summery Instagram Snaps", 22 June 2017
That The Great Beauty achieves it with visual splendor, infectious party scenes, sparkling wit, poignant asides, and laugh-out-loud satire puts it in a special class of films that aim for excellence in every aspect and deliver.

— conor friedersdorf, The Atlantic, "The Film That’s Missing From the ‘Century’s Greatest’ Lists", 17 June 2017
Principal Justin FitzGerald welcomed families with his usual wit and warmth.

— chris folks, Laurel Leader, "Fifth-graders say good-bye to Bond Mill [West Laurel]", 14 June 2017
Spacey danced, sang and joked his way through a three-hour rehearsal Sunday morning with grace and self-depreciating wit.

— Washington Post, "Kevin Spacey to lead Tonys Awards with gentle humor", 11 June 2017
In a three-hour rehearsal Sunday, Spacey danced, sang and joked with grace and self-depreciating wit.

— national desk, AL.com, "Tony Awards 2017: They wore that? Fashions and photos from the red carpet", 11 June 2017
Sunday night's 71st Annual Tony Awards will offer plenty of gentle wit from first-time host Kevin Spacey.

— national desk, cleveland.com, "Tony Awards 2017: They wore that? Fashions and photos from the red carpet", 11 June 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of wit

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

NEW!

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of 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

Other Psychology Terms

fetish, hypochondria, intelligence, mania, narcissism, neurosis, pathological, psychosis, schadenfreude, subliminal

WIT Defined for English Language Learners

wit

noun

Definition of wit for English Language Learners

: an ability to say or write things that are clever and usually funny
: a person who is known for making clever and funny remarks
wits : the ability to think or reason

WIT Defined for Kids

wit

play

noun \ˈwit\

Definition of wit for Students

1 : normal mental state —usually used in pl. He scared me out of my wits.
2 : power to think, reason, or decide He had the wit to leave. The chess player matched wits with a computer.
3 : clever and amusing comments, expressions, or talk
4 : a talent for making clever and usually amusing comments
5 : a person with a talent for making clever and amusing comments