witticism
Americannoun
noun
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.
Vocabulary lists containing witticism
100 SAT words Beginning with W,X,Y, and Z
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The Jungle
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The Awakening
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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.
Not to be outdone by the album’s soaring musical ambience, Styles’ lyrics never disappoint, blending his penchant for witticism with pop-culture philosophy.
From Salon ● Mar. 6, 2026
Incidentally, it’s not the first time the adage — believed to be a witticism about Parker’s own romantic foibles — has been used on the show.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 30, 2024
“It’s a witticism, which is fine as a witticism,” Muñoz Machado told Spanish news agency EFE.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 26, 2023
That’s a classic, lukewarm, tension-defusing witticism, and everyone smiles politely.
From New York Times ● Jun. 2, 2023
“Unless you can cut this fog with your next witticism, keep it to yourself.”
From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin
Definitions 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.
