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witty Definition

witty (wit′ē)

adjective -·tier, -·ti·est

  1. having, showing, or characterized by wit; cleverly amusing
  2. Now Dial. intelligent; clever

Etymology: ME witti < OE wittig < wit, knowledge: see wit

witty Related Forms

wit′·tily adverb wit′·ti·ness noun

witty Synonyms

witty

modif.

  1. Cleverly amusing

    humorous, droll, jocose, jocular, sarcastic, facetious, amusing, funny; see also humorous.

  2. *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.