wits

¹

/ wɪts /

plural noun

1. sometimes singular the ability to reason and act, esp quickly (esp in the phrase have one's wits about one )
2. sometimes singular right mind, sanity (esp in the phrase out of one's wits )
3. at one's wits' end
   at one's wits' end at a loss to know how to proceed
4. five wits obsolete.
   five wits the five senses or mental faculties
5. live by one's wits
   live by one's wits to gain a livelihood by craftiness and cunning rather than by hard work

Wits

²

/ wɪts /

noun

1. informal.
   University of the Witwatersrand

Example Sentences

Far less appreciated, Houston, rather than being a southern city of duller wits, actually ranks second in engineers per capita.

From The Daily Beast

And when rappers battle one another with their wits and words, it is similar to the bam-pow!

From The Daily Beast

She is routinely dismissed by Madrid wits as “a Danish tart.”

From The Daily Beast

But rather than scare people out of their wits, they served as a moment of much-needed comic relief for many.

From The Daily Beast

As a result, Tallulah found herself hailed as one of the wits of Manhattan, and she worked hard to make sure the reputation stuck.

From The Daily Beast

In cases in which no attempt is made to ignore the accusation, the small wits are wont to be busy discovering exculpations.

From Project Gutenberg

In spite of her sharpened wits, Mrs. Kaye smiled radiantly into Isabel's guileless eyes.

From Project Gutenberg

In a party of wits an argument took place as to the definition of a reasonable animal.

From Project Gutenberg

And indeed for most young men a college thesis is but an exercise for sharpening the wits, rarely dangerous in its later effects.

From Project Gutenberg

Matt, getting quick control of his wits, had been running his eyes over the roadster.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• fun
• joke
• satire