noun

wit

wiht

noun

The ability to say clever, funny things quickly.

"Her quick wit made her the star of every dinner party."

"He responded to the heckler with sharp wit."

Practical intelligence or good sense (often plural, "wits").

"It took quick wits to escape that situation unharmed."

How to Use Wit

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishCleverness — either being funny on the spot, or thinking sharply under pressure.

Common pairings

a battle of wits quick wit keep your wits about you

wist past tense, wits plural, wist plural, wit plural, wot singular, wist singular, wost singular, wottest singular, wistest singular

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Her quick _____ made her the star of every dinner party.

From Old English witt, meaning mind or understanding, tracing back to an ancient root meaning "to know" — the same root behind "wise" and "wisdom."

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twit outwit nitwit dimwit halfwit

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