witty
adjUK /ˈwɪti/ · US /ˈwɪti/
Etymology From Middle English witty, witti, from Old English wittiġ, witiġ, ġewittiġ (“clever, wise”), from Proto-West Germanic *witīg, *witag, from Proto-Germanic *witagaz, *wītagaz (“knowing, wise, clever”), equivalent to wit + -y. Cognate with Middle Low German wittich, gewittich (“knowing, clever, wise, understanding”), German witzig (“funny, witty”), Norwegian Bokmål vettig, Norwegian Nynorsk vittig (“witty”).
1
Clever; amusingly ingenious.
- His speech was both witty and informative.
2
Full of wit.
- His frequent quips mark him as particularly witty.
3
Quick of mind; insightful; in possession of wits.
- She may have grown older, but she has grown no less witty.
4
Obsolete Wise, having good judgement.
5
Archaic Possessing a strong intellect or intellectual capacity; intelligent, skilful, ingenious.
- It hath beene a witty invention[…]to establish and ordaine certaine vaine and worthles markes, therewith to honor and recompence vertue[…].1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 7, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes […], book II, London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], →OCLC:
- Synonyms
- facetious, humorous, jocose, jocular, quick, lively, witty, amusing, bright, diverting, droll, entertaining, piquant, quick on the draw, quick-witted, sharp, tongue-in-cheek
- Antonyms
- brainless, lowbrow, stupid, witless, corny, hackneyed, lame, humorless, uncomic, unfunny, earnest, grave, serious, sober, solemn, somber
- Related terms
- kitty witty, joke, funny, intelligent