witty

[wit-ee]

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adjective, wit·ti·er, wit·ti·est.

possessing wit in speech or writing; amusingly clever in perception and expression: a witty writer.

characterized by wit: a witty remark.

British Dialect. intelligent; clever.

Nearby words

Origin of witty

before 900; Middle English; Old English wittig orig., wise. See wit¹, -y¹

SYNONYMS FOR witty

1, 2. droll, funny, original, sparkling, brilliant. See humorous¹.

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ANTONYMS FOR witty

1, 2. dull, stupid.

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Related formswit·ti·ly, adverbwit·ti·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for witty

Though conversational and often witty, his meandering phrases become increasingly unpredictable as they develop.
The Lost Novel of Nobel-Winner José Saramago|Charles Shafaieh|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
They are variously loud, meditative, dramatic, witty, sexy, searing, and elegiac.
The Queer Genius of Film Director Derek Jarman|Tim Teeman|November 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The 16-song pop treasure chest comes to a thrilling close with “New Romantics,” a remix-ready stomper crammed with witty lyrics.
Taylor Swift’s ‘1989’: Country’s Prodigal Daughter Creates the Best Pop Album of the Year|Marlow Stern|October 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But instead of a witty pop song, we have yet more woe-is-me-feel-my-pain from an overpaid, over-cosseted celebrity.
Why We Should Hate 'Haters Gonna Hate'|Tim Teeman|August 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST

But Poehler is, and has been throughout the run of her show, just as good: just as silly, just as madcap, just as witty.
What's TV's Funniest Show? Our Emmy Awards Comedy Predictions|Kevin Fallon|August 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Even so artificial a writer as Wilde had not to labour to be witty.
The Art of Letters|Robert Lynd
People who can't be witty exert themselves to be pious and affectionate.
Dictionary of Quotations from Ancient and Modern, English and Foreign Sources|James Wood
And he laughed heartily at what he fancied was a most witty conceit.
Tony Butler|Charles James Lever
Though he said witty things now and then, he was not a wit in the sense that Jerrold was.
Home Life of Great Authors|Hattie Tyng Griswold
But poor Monsieur Werdet was not in a position to be witty; and, moreover, he knew but too well what was coming next.
My Miscellanies, Vol. 1 (of 2)|Wilkie Collins

British Dictionary definitions for witty

witty

adjective -tier or -tiest

characterized by clever humour or wit

archaic, or dialect intelligent or sensible

Derived Formswittily, adverbwittiness, noun

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

Word Origin and History for witty

witty

adj.

Old English wittig "clever, wise;" see wit (n.) "intellect" + -y (2). Meaning "possessing sparkling wit" is recorded from 1580s.

witty

adjective, wit·ti·er, wit·ti·est.

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Origin of witty

Examples from the Web for witty

witty

adjective -tier or -tiest

witty