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wit — the ability to say or write things that are clever and amusing

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: the ability to say or write things that are clever and amusing

Pronunciation (IPA): /wɪt/

Example Sentences

  • His wit was so sharp, he could make people laugh even at a funeral.
  • She used her wit to get out of the awkward situation.
  • The comedian's dry wit had the audience in stitches.

wit

NOUN

[/wɪt/]

the ability to say or write things that are clever and amusing

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/wɪt/
🇬🇧 UK/wɪt/

🌳Etymology

Rootwit

Origin

Wit derives from Old English 'witt', meaning 'knowledge' or 'understanding'. It descends from Proto-Germanic roots shared across Germanic languages, as evidenced by related forms such as German 'Witz'.

Breakdown

The word evolved directly from Old English 'witt' (knowledge, understanding), which retained its core meaning before narrowing to denote mental sharpness and clever humor in Middle English and Modern English usage.

🎵Rhyme

bit
fit
hit
sit
kit

🔗Collocations

quick wit
dry wit
sharp wit
battle of wits
at one's wit's end
have the wit to

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“His wit was so sharp, he could make people laugh even at a funeral.”

“She used her wit to get out of the awkward situation.”

😄 Fun example

“The comedian's dry wit had the audience in stitches.”

“I'm at my wit's end trying to solve this math problem.”

📚Related Words

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