VocabDictionary

wit

/wÉŠt/intermediate Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.noun

Mental sharpness and inventiveness; keen intelligence combined with a capacity for producing clever, humorous remarks.

Example Sentences:
  • “She was known for her sharp wit and lightning-fast comebacks.”
  • “The political satire required both political insight and considerable literary wit.”
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “wit”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Derived from Old English 'witt', meaning 'mind, intellect, knowledge, or sense', of Germanic origin. It is ultimately related to the Proto-Indo-European root *weid-, meaning 'to see', which also gives rise to the English words 'video', 'wise', and 'wit' in the sense of understanding.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of someone who is 'quick-witted' as having a fast-working mind.

Rhyming Words

Frequently Asked Questions About “wit”

1. What is the meaning of “wit” in English?

In English, wit (noun) is defined as: “Mental sharpness and inventiveness; keen intelligence combined with a capacity for producing clever, humorous remarks.”.

2. How do you use “wit” in a sentence?

“She was known for her sharp wit and lightning-fast comebacks.”

3. What are English synonyms of “wit”?

Common synonyms include:humor,cleverness,repartee,intellect

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “wit”?

Derived from Old English 'witt', meaning 'mind, intellect, knowledge, or sense', of Germanic origin. It is ultimately related to the Proto-Indo-European root *weid-, meaning 'to see', which also gives rise to the English words 'video', 'wise', and 'wit' in the sense of understanding.