noun
wit
WIT/wɪt/
Quickness and cleverness of thought or expression.
Her quick wit turns an awkward moment into a shared laugh.
Etymology
Old English wit meant understanding or intellect generally. The amusing sense narrowed this mental capacity to quickness in connecting ideas and expressing them cleverly in speech or writing.
In context
I'm supposed to have a dry wit I haven't but fortunately in this rarified strout of society a small amount of nastiness passes as a great deal of humor
More examples
- His essays blend sharp wit with serious ideas.
- You need your wits to handle unexpected questions.
- She's the office wit, always ready with a clever reply.
Forms
wit · wits
witty adjective — Showing quick, clever humor in expression.
witticism noun — A remark that expresses clever humor.