wit

¹

[ wit ]

noun

1. the keen perception and cleverly apt expression of those connections between ideas that awaken amusement and pleasure.

   Synonyms: drollery

2. speech or writing showing such perception and expression.

   Synonyms: raillery, quip, witticism, banter, bon mot, persiflage, badinage, repartee

3. a person having or noted for such perception and expression.

   Synonyms: satirist, jester, wag

4. understanding, intelligence, or sagacity.

   Synonyms: mind, sense, wisdom

5. Usually wits.
   1. powers of intelligent observation, keen perception, ingenious contrivance, or the like; mental acuity, composure, and resourcefulness:

      using one's wits to get ahead.

   2. mental faculties; senses:

      to lose one's wits;

      frightened out of one's wits.

wit

²

[ wit ]

verb (used with or without object)

3rd: wotpresent singular 1st person: wotpast and past participle: wistpresent participle: wittingpresent plural: wit or wite2nd: wost

1. Archaic. to know.

wit

¹

/ wɪt /

noun

1. the talent or quality of using unexpected associations between contrasting or disparate words or ideas to make a clever humorous effect
2. speech or writing showing this quality
3. a person possessing, showing, or noted for such an ability, esp in repartee
4. practical intelligence (esp in the phrase have the wit to )
5. dialect.
   information or knowledge (esp in the phrase get wit of )
6. archaic.
   mental capacity or a person possessing it
7. obsolete.
   the mind or memory

wit

²

/ wɪt /

verb

1. archaic.
   to be or become aware of (something)

adverb

1. to wit
   that is to say; namely (used to introduce statements, as in legal documents)

Word History and Origins

Origin of wit¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English: “mind, thought”; cognate with German Witz, Old Norse vit; akin to wit ²

Origin of wit²

First recorded before 900; Middle English witen, Old English witan; cognate with Dutch weten, German wissen, Old Norse vita, Gothic witan to know; akin to Latin vidēre “to see,” Greek oîda (dialect woîda “I know,” and ideîn (dialect wideîn ) “to see,” Sanskrit vidati “(he) knows”; wot

Word History and Origins

Origin of wit¹

Old English witt; related to Old Saxon giwitt, Old High German wizzi (German Witz ), Old Norse vit, Gothic witi. See wit ²

Origin of wit²

Old English witan; related to Old High German wizzan (German wissen ), Old Norse vita, Latin vidēre to see

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. keep / have one's wits about one, to remain alert and observant; be prepared for or equal to anything:

   to keep your wits about you in a crisis.

2. live by one's wits, to provide for oneself by employing ingenuity or cunning; live precariously:

   We traveled around the world, living by our wits.

3. to wit, that is to say; namely:

   It was the time of the vernal equinox, to wit, the beginning of spring.

4. at one's wit's end. at the end of one's ideas or mental resources; perplexed:

   My two-year-old won't eat anything but pizza, and I'm at my wit's end.

More idioms and phrases containing wit

see at one's wit's end ; have one's wits about one ; live by one's wits ; scare out of one's wits ; to wit .

Synonym Study

See humor.

Example Sentences

He remembered a mother “with a great sense of humor and a sarcastic wit” who liked to dote on her Chihuaha-dachshund mix, Hercules, and attend daily Mass.

From Los Angeles Times

His Llanelli accent - delivered in soft, hushed tones - and dry wit made him instantly recognisable among viewers.

From BBC

The Tavern was described as a house of "much respectability" and was a popular meeting place for "the chief wits and men of letters" in Edinburgh.

From BBC

An amateur magician himself, Carson possessed a quick and cutting wit, but in keeping it restrained, he clarified his greatest gift.

From New York Times

Hugh Grant, who starred in “Four Weddings,” “Notting Hill” and “Love Actually,” introduced Curtis, using his dry wit to recall the beginning of their creative partnership in “Four Weddings.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• fun
• joke
• satire