whet

[hwet, wet]

verb (used with object)

whetted, whetting 

1. to sharpen (a knife, tool, etc.) by grinding or friction.

2. to make keen or eager; stimulate.

   to whet the appetite; to whet the curiosity.

noun

1. the act of whetting.

2. something that whets; appetizer or drink.

3. Chiefly Southern U.S.

   1. a spell of work.

   2. a while.

      to talk a whet.

whet

/ wɛt /

verb

1. to sharpen, as by grinding or friction

2. to increase or enhance (the appetite, desire, etc); stimulate

noun

1. the act of whetting

2. a person or thing that whets

Other Word Forms

• whetter noun
• unwhetted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of whet¹

before 900; Middle English whetten (v.), Old English hwettan (derivative of hwæt bold); cognate with German wetzen, Old Norse hvetja, Gothic gahwatjan to incite

Word History and Origins

Origin of whet¹

Old English hwettan; related to hvæt sharp, Old High German hwezzen, Old Norse hvetja, Gothic hvatjan

Example Sentences

That ritual whetted his curiosity about his nation’s native spirit.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The swathes of fertile farmland in Sudan, Africa's third-largest country and a potential agricultural breadbasket, have whetted the appetite of the desert Gulf countries across the Red Sea.

Read more on Barron's

But the 37-year-old was ringside to watch Wardley's win against friend and training partner Parker - and that might have whet his appetite.

Read more on BBC

Did they whet your whistle for the book?

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Alcaraz fighting back from two sets down - and having saved three championship points - to win a five-setter in over five hours has whetted the appetite for Wimbledon.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• incite 
• kindle 
• pique 
• stimulate