Virgil ThomsonWolcott Gibbs
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Witty and Wise
When we call someone witty, we are typically ascribing to them the quality of clever humor. This has not always been the case: witty (and the word it is formed from, wit) originally referred to intelligence or good judgment. Although the “mentally capable” meaning of witty has largely become obsolete, we still see vestiges of it in various expressions involving wit, such as wit and wisdom or out of one’s wits. Another phrase, to wit, meaning “that is, namely,” comes directly from the Middle English to witen (“to know”).
Examples of witty in a Sentence
Tobias Wolff, Old School, 2003
… when she walked up to me and made a caustic remark on the principal's address of the morning, I couldn't help laughing, as she was obviously not only intelligent but very witty.
—Margaret A. Edwards, The Fair Garden and the Swarm of Beasts, 1994
Yet for all his solemnity, Hamlet was also the play's and Shakespeare's wittiest wit, with as many one-liners as any comic in the whole canon.
—Reed Whittemore, Pure Lives, 1988
a witty talk show host
a witty and sardonic blogger who never fails to amuse his legion of readers
Sarah Royce-Greensill, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024
Many of his pictures are of witty moments when an object or a scene seems to become something else.
—Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024
This witty rom-com is packed with rumors, enemies-to-lovers and saucy gossip.
—Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 7 Apr. 2024
Isabella Rossellini, a longtime muse and friends, clad in a chic white brocade pajama and cool flat slippers, made a witty, affectionate speech.
—Tiziana Cardini, Vogue, 7 Apr. 2024
With an all-star cast including Hilary Duff, Sutton Foster and Miriam Shor and witty writing throughout, you'll be hooked on every episode.
—Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 2 Apr. 2024
Thile is also a gifted singer whose stage witty patter is almost worth the price of admission by itself.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Mar. 2024
The popular stand-up performer, who’s known for his witty, quirky monologues about contemporary life and family dynamics, will be appearing on June 7 at the Clarkston, Michigan venue.
—Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 12 Mar. 2024
Toni Jones described him in her story as modest, easygoing and witty.
—Bill McGraw, Detroit Free Press, 17 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'witty.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near witty
Cite this Entry
“Witty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/witty. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.
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