wit
Sharpness with jokes
Wit is quick, clever intelligence—the ability to make sharp, often humorous observations or connections.
Someone with wit can turn a phrase memorably: Her wit kept the dinner party lively.
A witty remark is both clever and amusing.
Wit also means mental faculty more broadly, as in scared out of my wits or gather your wits.
To have your wits about you is to be alert and ready.
At wit's end describes exhausted mental resources.
Humorous statement seeking laughter
- quipBrief, clever remark
- jestHumorous remark or act
- punchlineHumor's final delivery
- gagMouth restraint or jest
repartee · banter · wisecrack · one-liner · comeback · zinger · bon mot · riposte
Meaning opposite to words
- sarcasmIrony used to mock
- parodySatirical imitation
- lampoonHarsh public mockery
- mockeryScornful ridicule or travesty
caricature · spoof · send-up · burlesque · ridicule · travesty · pastiche · sardonic
Showing mental quickness
- ingeniousCleverly original in design
- astuteMentally sharp, discerning
- shrewdPractically clever, perceptive
- sagaciousHaving acute mental discernment
perspicacious · smart · savvy · resourceful · cunning · artful · canny · perceptive
Sharply analytical
- keenSharp or enthusiastic
- razor-sharpExtremely fine-edged
- quickMoving with speed
- piercingPenetrating or very sharp
acute · penetrating · nimble · rapier · cutting · biting · pointed · trenchant
Move briskly back-and-forth
- jokerCutup or wild card
- comedianProfessional humor performer
- humoristOne who creates comedy
- raconteurSkilled storyteller
card · comic · entertainer · jester · quipster · punster · smarty · Dorothy Parker
Wordplay using double meanings
- double meaningOne phrase, two senses
- play on wordsExploiting linguistic ambiguity humorously
- anagramReshuffled letter word
- spoonerismAccidental sound transposition
malapropism · homophone · innuendo · ambiguity · twist · verbal dexterity · linguistic · turn of phrase
joke
Humorous statement seeking laughter
gag · repartee · banter · wisecrack · one-liner · comeback · zinger · bon mot · riposte · retort
irony
Meaning opposite to words
mockery · caricature · spoof · send-up · burlesque · ridicule · travesty · pastiche · sardonic · caustic
clever
Showing mental quickness
- ingeniousCleverly original in design
- astuteMentally sharp, discerning
- shrewdPractically clever, perceptive
sagacious · perspicacious · smart · savvy · resourceful · cunning · artful · canny · perceptive · discerning
incisive
Sharply analytical
- keenSharp or enthusiastic
- razor-sharpExtremely fine-edged
- quickMoving with speed
piercing · acute · penetrating · nimble · rapier · cutting · biting · pointed · trenchant · clever
wag
Move briskly back-and-forth
raconteur · card · comic · entertainer · jester · quipster · punster · smarty · Dorothy Parker · Mark Twain
pun
Wordplay using double meanings
- double meaningOne phrase, two senses
- play on wordsExploiting linguistic ambiguity humorously
- anagramReshuffled letter word
spoonerism · malapropism · homophone · innuendo · ambiguity · twist · verbal dexterity · linguistic · turn of phrase · equivoque
witdullness
Lack of stimulation
stupidity · slowness · obtuseness · dim-wittedness · denseness
Lack of comedic sense
dullness · seriousness · solemnity · earnestness · artlessness
witfoolishness
Unwise conduct
folly · madness · insanity · lunacy · senselessness
- witness intimidationThreatening courtroom testifiers
- wits' endLimit of mental resources
- at wit's endUtterly without solutions
- wit's endLimit of patience
- bear witnessGive evidence formally
- dry witUnderstated, ironic humor
witness, wits, witty, nitwit, dimwit, witnessed, outwit, twit, witless