Advertisement
Advertisement
wit
1[ wit ]
noun
- the keen perception and cleverly apt expression of those connections between ideas that awaken amusement and pleasure.
Synonyms:
- speech or writing showing such perception and expression.
Synonyms: , , , , , , ,
- a person having or noted for such perception and expression.
Synonyms: , ,
- understanding, intelligence, or sagacity.
Synonyms: , ,
- Usually wits.
- powers of intelligent observation, keen perception, ingenious contrivance, or the like; mental acuity, composure, and resourcefulness:
using one's wits to get ahead.
- mental faculties; senses:
to lose one's wits;
frightened out of one's wits.
wit
2[ wit ]
verb (used with or without object)
- Archaic. to know.
wit
1/ ·Éɪ³Ù /
noun
- the talent or quality of using unexpected associations between contrasting or disparate words or ideas to make a clever humorous effect
- speech or writing showing this quality
- a person possessing, showing, or noted for such an ability, esp in repartee
- practical intelligence (esp in the phrase have the wit to )
- dialect.information or knowledge (esp in the phrase get wit of )
- archaic.mental capacity or a person possessing it
- obsolete.the mind or memory
wit
2/ ·Éɪ³Ù /
verb
- archaic.to be or become aware of (something)
adverb
- to witthat is to say; namely (used to introduce statements, as in legal documents)
˜yÐÄvlog History and Origins
Origin of wit1
Origin of wit2
˜yÐÄvlog History and Origins
Origin of wit1
Origin of wit2
Idioms and Phrases
- keep / have one's wits about one, to remain alert and observant; be prepared for or equal to anything:
to keep your wits about you in a crisis.
- live by one's wits, to provide for oneself by employing ingenuity or cunning; live precariously:
We traveled around the world, living by our wits.
- to wit, that is to say; namely:
It was the time of the vernal equinox, to wit, the beginning of spring.
- at one's wit's end. at the end of one's ideas or mental resources; perplexed:
My two-year-old won't eat anything but pizza, and I'm at my wit's end.
More idioms and phrases containing wit
see at one's wit's end ; have one's wits about one ; live by one's wits ; scare out of one's wits ; to wit .Synonym Study
Example Sentences
“The ‘Godfather of freak folk’ was for a prolific half-century the purveyor of an eccentric genius and compassionate wit.
The Washington Post said Simpson was known for his “barbed wit†and “feistiness.â€
The other lacks all that but throws himself almost recklessly into the mix, relying on charm and quick-on-his-feet wit as he strives for something that feels just beyond him.
“I reveal the depth and sources of her pain and fear. I also show her profound wisdom, wit, humor, inspiration, talent and joy; her resilience, compassion, her triumphs and genius.â€
I was taken aback, naturally, but when I had my wits about me again, I thought, oh wow, this film has some traction, some real staying power.â€
Advertisement
Related ˜yÐÄvlogs
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.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Browse