witticism

American  

[wit-uh-siz-uhm] / ˈwɪt əˌsɪz əm /

noun

1. a witty remark or sentence.

   Synonyms:

   wisecrack, sally, quip, jest, joke

---

witticism British  

/ ˈwɪtɪˌsɪzəm /

noun

1. a clever or witty remark

---

Etymology

Origin of witticism

1645–55; derivative of witty, modeled on criticism

Explanation

Witticism describes something funny that someone says, like a pun or little joke. You may have heard that it is good to start off a speech with witticism because if you make the audience laugh, it'll help them — and you — relax. English playwright and poet John Dryden coined the word witticism in the 17th century, combining the words witty and criticism to come up with a word to describe a clever quip that has a hint of sharpness or irony. A witticism is typically a one-liner that humorously sums up the current situation — with a little bit of attitude thrown in.

Example Sentences

That kind of anguished, not-funny witticism is another commonplace of the American educated classes: OMG, what has happened to this country?

From Salon • May 31, 2026

“It’s a witticism, which is fine as a witticism,” Muñoz Machado told Spanish news agency EFE.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 26, 2023

When Marshall was offered advice he didn’t like, he often responded with a brisk witticism: “There’s only three things I have to do: stay black, pay taxes and die.”

From New York Times • Jul. 14, 2021

“When the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do, sir?” is a witticism attributed frequently but inaccurately to the great 20th-century British economist John Maynard Keynes.

From Washington Post • Dec. 7, 2020

Here it became apparent that Mr. Pilkington was about to spring some carefully prepared witticism on the company, but for a moment he was too overcome by amusement to be able to utter it.

From "Animal Farm: A Fairy Story" by George Orwell

Related Words

• gibe
• wisecrack