quick-witted

[ kwik-wit-id ]

/ ˈkwɪkˈwɪt ɪd /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR quick-witted ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

having a nimble, alert mind.

Nearby words

quick-cure resin, quick-fire, quick-freeze, quick-setting, quick-tempered, quick-witted, quicken, quickening, quicker than you can say jack robinson, quickhatch, quickie

Origin of quick-witted

First recorded in 1520–30; quick + wit¹ + -ed³

SYNONYMS FOR quick-witted

keen, perceptive, smart, clever, sharp.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR quick-witted ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

quick-wit·ted·ly, adverbquick-wit·ted·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for quick-witted

Even the most quick-witted cops and the most skillful surgeons could not have saved him.
The Black and White Men Who Saved Martin Luther King’s Life|Michael Daly|January 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Quick-witted, sharp-tongued, and flirtatious, Anne drew a coterie of men to her, and each would lose his head for her.
Why Does Anne Boleyn Obsess Us?|Lauren Elkin|April 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Vidal had the best of all this because he was quick-witted and by far the funniest.
Gore Vidal Epitomized an Era When Writers Were Like Rock Stars|Malcolm Jones|August 2, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Quick-witted and cunning, Tyrion might just be the most dangerous man in the Seven Kingdoms, fathoms ahead of everyone.
‘Game of Thrones’ Season 2 Review: Majesty, Mystery, and Terror Reign Supreme|Jace Lacob|March 30, 2012|DAILY BEAST

In New York, a quick-witted toper went into a bar-room and called for something to drink.
The American Joe Miller|Various
She was quick-witted enough to understand where she was and how it had all come about.
Through Forest and Fire|Edward Ellis
Quick-witted Jerry was the first to make the announcement, Ive thought of one.
Marjorie Dean High School Senior|Pauline Lester
That quick-witted youth caught the possibilities and at his first attempt sprawled Bobby.
The Adventures of Bobby Orde|Stewart Edward White
Judith was very handsome, quick-witted, fond of admiration and fine clothes, while Hetty was not beautiful to look at.
Chatterbox, 1905.|Various

British Dictionary definitions for quick-witted

quick-witted

adjective

having a keenly alert mind, esp as used to avert danger, make effective reply, etc

Derived Forms

quick-wittedly, adverbquick-wittedness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012