quick-witted
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of quick-witted
Explanation
If you've got a knack for coming up with smart comments on the fly, you're quick-witted. The most quick-witted students in a class are often the first to raise their hands to answer the teacher's question (or to supply a sarcastic remark). Anyone whose mind is sharp can be called quick-witted, especially if they've got a great sense of humor and are speedy with a comeback. Being quick-witted is helpful during a debate or when you're playing a game with a time limit. Quick-witted comes from wit, which doesn't just mean "sense of humor," but also "intelligence."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A popular Turkish comedian went on trial on Monday for allegedly insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other offences during a stand-up performance, offering a quick-witted defence that had much of the courtroom in stitches.
From Barron's ● Sep. 28, 2026
Steinem could express her outrage directly and profanely, or wrapped in a slick and quick-witted savviness.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 3, 2026
But Margaret and Alice’s quick-witted machinations provide the basis for a merry outing at the theater.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026
Being funny — truly, naturally funny — isn’t just about delivering a punchline well or being quick-witted.
From Salon ● Feb. 5, 2026
Dark-haired and quick-witted, William had charming manners, hazel eyes, and a “strongly intellectual face.”
From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
