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 a loss to know how to proceed

4. obsolete,  the five senses or mental faculties

5. 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

Gannon-Doak is Scotland's flying machine, the man-child who was supposed to scare the wits out of the Greeks with his speed and his daring, and electrify Hampden with his personality.

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But it seems Mr Phillips and his children could not survive in the bush on their wits alone.

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Regaining their wits and warming to the unexpected interaction, Anthony spotted a number of platinum discs on the wall behind Liam and decided to ask for one.

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But Walters shattered those barriers through her grit and wits.

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Prof Lee added that people should also "have your wits about you and just avoid the animals", particularly in countries where the risk of rabies is much higher, such as parts of Africa and Asia.

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Related Words

• fun 
• joke 
• satire