witty

See also: Witty

English

Etymology

From Middle English witty, witti, from Old English wittiġ (“clever, wise”), equivalent to wit +‎ -y.

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈwɪti/
  • (US) IPA(key): /ˈwɪti/, [ˈwɪɾi]
  • Rhymes: -ɪti

Adjective

witty (comparative wittier, superlative wittiest)

  1. (obsolete) Wise, having good judgement.
    • 1485 July 31, Thomas Malory, “(please specify the chapter)”, in [Le Morte Darthur], (please specify the book number), [London: William Caxton], OCLC 71490786; republished as H[einrich] Oskar Sommer, editor, Le Morte Darthur, London: Published by David Nutt, in the Strand, 1889, OCLC 890162034:
      , Bk.VIII, Ch.viij:
      Then cam there a lady that was a wytty lady, and she seyde playnly unto the Kyng […] that he sholde never be hole but yf that Sir Trystrames wente into the same contrey than the venym came fro, and in that contrey sholde he be holpyn, other ellys never.
  2. (archaic) Possessing a strong intellect or intellectual capacity; intelligent, skilful, ingenious.
  3. Clever; amusingly ingenious.
    His speech was both witty and informative.
  4. Full of wit.
    His frequent quips mark him as particularly witty.
  5. Quick of mind; insightful; in possession of wits.
    She may have grown older, but she has grown no less witty.

Synonyms

Translations

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