witty Definition
witty (wit′ē)
adjective -·tier, -·ti·est
- having, showing, or characterized by wit; cleverly amusing
- Now Dial. intelligent; clever
Etymology: ME witti < OE wittig < wit, knowledge: see wit
witty Related Forms
witty Synonyms
witty
modif.
Cleverly amusing
humorous, droll, jocose, jocular, sarcastic, facetious, amusing, funny; see also humorous.*Intelligent
sparkling, keen, quick-witted, brilliant, whimsical, clever, bright; see also intelligent 1.
witty implies sharp, amusing cleverness and spontaneity in perceiving and commenting on, esp. in repartee and sometimes sarcastically, the incongruities in life; humorous connotes more geniality, gentleness, or whimsicality in saying or doing something that is deliberately comical or amusing; facetious is now usually derogatory in suggesting an inappropriate or ill-chosen attempt to be witty or humorous; jocular implies a happy or playful disposition characterized by the desire to amuse others; jocose suggests a mildly mischievous quality in joking or jesting, sometimes to the point of facetiousness
witty Usage Examples
Preposition: as
hell: Pretty, fun, witty as hell, and loyal to a fault.
Adjective complement with noun phrase
- say: You had to be there... You know when you say something so witty that you wish more people were around to hear it?
- have: Oh, if only I had had something witty or original to write about it!
Modifies a noun
- repartee: Always capable of bringing a smile to the room with his witty repartee, his words of wisdom are not unfortunately, repeatable here.
- one-liner: The audience laughs so much you miss so many great witty one-liners.
- banter: These songs range in style but with his outrageous dress sense and witty banter Martin delivered in a true rock poet way.
- saying: It is not a figure of speech, or a witty saying; it is a literal fact, .. .
- riposte: So for veracity alone I'm actually quite proud of myself for the sharp and witty riposte.
- retort: Truly a young master of the quick witty retort.
Modifying Another Word
- deliciously: Jose Martin was an excellent and sleazy Lescaut, very well matched with Rojo, and Laura Morera's deliciously witty Mistress.
- delightfully: Dear Sir, I am so glad my letter sparked off such delightfully witty replies.
- wonderfully: Having heard John Connolly speak before, I can testify to the fact that he is a wonderfully witty and engaging character.
- brilliantly: A brilliantly witty story about how heroes can be found in the most unlikely places.
- incredibly: Rob Lewis While I have been working at Demos people think it is incredibly witty to ask what I am thinking.
- exceptionally: There are countless funny remarks and situations incase within the entire show, but a few exceptionally witty examples seem to stay in mind.
Infinitive complement
say: Cheers, Olly __________________ I can't think of anything witty to say just now.. ...
Used with adjective complement
- write: I just can't write witty, clever, meaningful lyrics, but writing the music is no problem.
- want: If you want constant laughs then get Fawlty Towers; if you want witty, intelligent, mature, thoughtful comedy, get Extras.
- make: He used to hang around with fellas with false noses, who made witty, life-affirming, GOOD records.
- feel: Didn't feel so witty when I spotted him standing right behind us.
Browse dictionary entries near witty
- ‹ wittol
- ‹ witting
- ‹ Wittig, Monique
- ‹ Wittig
- ‹ witticism
- ‹ Wittgenstein, LudwigJosef Johann
- ‹ Wittgenstein
- ‹ Wittenberg
- ‹ -witted
- ‹ Witte, Sergei Yulevich
- Witwatersrand ›
- wive ›
- wives ›
- wiz ›
- WIZ Commands ›
- wizard ›
- wizardry ›
- Wizards ›
- wizen ›
- wizened ›

