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whet — to sharpen (a blade or tool) by grinding or friction

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to sharpen (a blade or tool) by grinding or friction

Pronunciation (IPA): /hwet/

Example Sentences

  • The cooking show whetted my appetite so much that I ordered pizza immediately.
  • The blacksmith carefully whetted his tools before starting work.
  • The movie trailer was designed to whet viewers' curiosity about the mysterious plot.

whet

VERB

[/hwet/]

to sharpen (a blade or tool) by grinding or friction

The aroma of grilled steak whet everyone's appetite at the summer barbecue.
💡 Concept

The aroma of grilled steak whet everyone's appetite at the summer barbecue.

Whet the blade, now we're all set - this sharp edge is a winning bet!
🎵 Rhyme

Whet the blade, now we're all set - this sharp edge is a winning bet!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/hwet/
🇬🇧 UK/wet/

🌳Etymology

Rootwhet

Origin

From Old English 'hwettan', meaning to sharpen or make keen. Related to Proto-Germanic roots meaning to sharpen, and possibly connected to 'whet' in the sense of making something sharp or eager.

Breakdown

Old English 'hwettan' (to sharpen) + -∅ (no suffix) = whet (verb meaning to sharpen by grinding or friction)

🎵Rhyme

bet
get
set
net
met

🔗Collocations

whet one's appetite
whet curiosity
whet a blade
whet interest
whet the knife

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“The cooking show whetted my appetite so much that I ordered pizza immediately.”

“The blacksmith carefully whetted his tools before starting work.”

“The movie trailer was designed to whet viewers' curiosity about the mysterious plot.”

“His grandmother's secret recipe whetted his interest in becoming a chef.”

📚Related Words

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