Forms
Infinitive
wit
Past
-
Past participle
wist
Definitions
01clever humor
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the ability to say things that are both clever and funny.
n. the capacity for inventive thought and quick understanding, expressed in a manner that is both ingenious and amusing.
日本語:エスプリ※
“The comedian was famous for his quick wit and ability to handle difficult audiences.”
“The playwright was celebrated for her sharp wit, often using subtle wordplay to critique the social norms of her era.”
Antonyms
02intelligence or common sense
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. your ability to think quickly and make sensible decisions.
n. mental sharpness and the practical intelligence required to act effectively in a given situation.
日本語:知恵※
Español:listeza
“He had the wit to realize that the deal was too good to be true.”
“In a crisis, she always kept her wits about her, making calm decisions while everyone else panicked.”
Synonyms
03a clever person
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Literary
n. a person who is known for making clever and funny remarks.
n. a person characterized by inventive humor and sharp intelligence.
“She was known as a great wit in the local literary circles.”
“As a celebrated wit of the eighteenth century, his company was highly sought after at every fashionable dinner party.”
Synonyms
04to know
C2 · Proficiency Archaic · Formal
v. an old word meaning to know or to be aware of something.
v. to be aware of or to know; survives primarily in the fixed expression 'to wit'.
“The contract specified the delivery date, to wit, the first of June.”
“The defendant was charged with three specific violations, to wit: speeding, reckless driving, and operating an unregistered vehicle.”
Usage
Almost exclusively found in the legal or formal phrase 'to wit', meaning 'namely'.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “wit” in context.
Verb
01. keep your wits about you
“In a crisis, it is essential to keep your wits about you to make rational decisions.”
verb + possessive + noun + prep + noun
02. match wits with an opponent
“The grandmaster enjoyed the opportunity to match wits with a worthy opponent on the chessboard.”
verb + noun + prep + noun
03. pitted his wits against the machine
“The engineer pitted his wits against the machine to find the flaw in its logic.”
verb + possessive + noun + prep + noun
Adjective
04. dry wit
“His dry wit often left people wondering if he was being serious or joking.”
adj + noun
05. quick wit
“A quick wit is a valuable asset for any stand-up comedian performing in front of a live audience.”
adj + noun
06. razor-sharp wit
“She was known for her razor-sharp wit and her ability to silence critics with a single comment.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. battle of wits
“The courtroom drama turned into a tense battle of wits between the prosecutor and the defense attorney.”
noun + of + noun
08. lack of wit
“The critic complained about the script's total lack of wit and originality.”
noun + of + noun
Preposition
09. at your wits' end
“After trying every possible solution to the technical glitch, the IT team was at their wits' end.”
prep + noun
Real-World Examples
“As a narrator, Maddie has a sunny disposition and relates the story with some wit.” “She’s more secure on two palms than most people are on two feet, which means she can turn what could be a quick trick into choreography, with rhythm, timing and wit.” “An Austenesque romantic comedy, with wit dry as an albariño.” “The heroine’s journey is one of young women discovering their agency through courage, grit and wit.” Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Related words
Idioms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/wit
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「日本語」「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
‘외래어’ data: 한국어기초사전 (국립국어원), CC BY-SA 2.0 KR
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0