whet

[ hwet, wet ]

/ ʰwɛt, wɛt /

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See synonyms for: whet / whetted on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), whet·ted, whet·ting.

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

to make keen or eager; stimulate: to whet the appetite; to whet the curiosity.

noun

the act of whetting.

something that whets; appetizer or drink.

Chiefly Southern U.S.

a spell of work.
a while: to talk a whet.

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Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of whet

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

OTHER WORDS FROM whet

whet·ter, nounun·whet·ted, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH whet

wet, whet

Words nearby whet

wherewith, wherewithal, wherret, wherrit, wherry, whet, whether, whether or not, whet one's appetite, whetstone, whew

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use whet in a sentence

To whet your appetite, you can relive that glorious moment (and watch other programs from the 2014 summit) here.
Save the Date: Women in the World 2015||December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
To whet your appetite, here are three heavy-hitting fashion moments happening in the coming days.
Fashion Flash: New York's Week of Excitement|The Daily Beast|September 10, 2010|DAILY BEAST
And his accessible focus on food will whet the appetite of gourmands and food novices alike.
An American in Paris—with Brownies|Kathleen Willcox|May 8, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Unfortunately, he was afflicted with elephantiasis, and his appearance did not at all tend to whet the edge of our appetites.
A Woman's Journey Round the World|Ida Pfeiffer

And this was as it should be; the intent of that little prologue was merely to whet the appetite for the real play.
The Girls of Central High on the Stage|Gertrude W. Morrison
Also, to wondering if Nova Scotia air was to whet their appetites this way all the time.
Dorothy's Travels|Evelyn Raymond
Vermouth and absinthe had been served to whet their appetites, and every one had been at once put into good spirits.
The Works of Guy de Maupassant, Volume VIII.|Guy de Maupassant
Indeed, it seemed only to whet the appetite, and we both set out on an eager expedition for more food.
The Memoirs of General P. H. Sheridan, Complete|General Philip Henry Sheridan

British Dictionary definitions for whet

whet

/ (wɛt) /

verb whets, whetting or whetted (tr)

to sharpen, as by grinding or friction

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

noun

the act of whetting

a person or thing that whets

Derived forms of whet

whetter, noun

Word Origin for whet

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

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

whet

Origin of whet

OTHER WORDS FROM whet

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH whet

Words nearby whet

Words related to whet

How to use whet in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for whet

Derived forms of whet

Word Origin for whet