native wit
Natural mental sharpness
Native wit is the natural intelligence or mental quickness someone is born with, as opposed to learned knowledge or formal education.
It suggests shrewdness and cleverness that come instinctively: She survived on native wit rather than book learning.
The phrase often implies resourcefulness in practical situations.
Keen practical judgment
- acumenSharpness of mind
- astutenessShrewd perceptiveness
- cunningSly, scheming cleverness
- ingenuityClever, original thinking
resourcefulness · canniness · sharpness · savvy · quick-thinking · mental agility · keenness · smartness
Keen perception and judgment
- perceptionMental interpretation of stimuli
- perspicacityKeen mental perception
- intuitionInstinctive immediate understanding
- penetrationEntry into something
understanding · perceptiveness · sagacity · wisdom · foresight · awareness · cognizance · comprehension
Playful, teasing exchange
- quipBrief, clever remark
- reparteeQuick, clever conversation
- jestHumorous remark or act
- witticismClever, amusing remark
puns · wordplay · satire · sarcasm · drollery · levity · playfulness · jocular
Existing from birth
- naturalNot artificially produced
- inherentExisting as essential part
- instinctiveArising without conscious thought
- intuitiveKnown without reasoning
unlearned · God-given · raw talent · untaught · natural ability · born with · unschooled · untrained
shrewdness
Keen practical judgment
- acumenSharpness of mind
- astutenessShrewd perceptiveness
- cunningSly, scheming cleverness
ingenuity · resourcefulness · canniness · sharpness · savvy · quick-thinking · mental agility · keenness · smartness · street smarts
discernment
Keen perception and judgment
- perceptionMental interpretation of stimuli
- perspicacityKeen mental perception
- intuitionInstinctive immediate understanding
penetration · understanding · perceptiveness · sagacity · wisdom · foresight · awareness · cognizance · comprehension · clear-sightedness
banter
Playful, teasing exchange
witticism · puns · wordplay · satire · sarcasm · drollery · levity · playfulness · jocular · facetious
inborn
Existing from birth
- naturalNot artificially produced
- inherentExisting as essential part
- instinctiveArising without conscious thought
intuitive · unlearned · God-given · raw talent · untaught · natural ability · born with · unschooled · untrained · intrinsic
- intellectintelligence, intellect, brainpower, mind, cognition
- dispositionsdisposition, predisposition, inclination, tendency, propensity
- folk wisdomproverb, folklore, folk sayings, saying, proverbs
native witformal education
Systematic study in institutions
book learning · schooling · rote learning · classroom instruction · erudition
native witdullness
Lack of stimulation
slow-wittedness · stupidity · obtuseness · thick-headedness · dimness
native, natives, natively, nativity, nation, nations, national, nationally, nationality