Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Witty
1.
Possessed of wit; knowing; wise; skillful; judicious; clever; cunning.
[Obs.]
“The deep-revolving witty Buckingham.” Shak.
2.
Especially, possessing wit or humor; good at repartee; droll; facetious; sometimes, sarcastic;
“Honeycomb, who was so unmercifully witty upon the women.” as, a
. witty
remark, poem, and the likeAddison.
Syn. – Acute; smart; sharp; arch; keen; facetious; amusing; humorous; satirical; ironical; taunting.
Webster 1828 Edition
Witty
WITTY
,Adj.
1.
Possessed of wit; full of wit; as a witty poet.2.
Judicious; ingenious; inventive.3.
Sarcastic; full of taunts.Honeycomb was unmercifully witty upon the women.
Definition 2024
witty
witty
English
Adjective
witty (comparative wittier, superlative wittiest)
- (obsolete) Wise, having good judgement.
- 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte d’Arthur, 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.
- 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte d’Arthur, Bk.VIII, Ch.viij:
- (archaic) Possessing a strong intellect or intellectual capacity; intelligent, skilful, ingenious.
- 1603, John Florio, translating Michel de Montaigne, Essayes, London: Edward Blount, OCLC 946730821, II.7:
- It hath beene a witty invention […] to establish and ordaine certaine vaine and worthles markes, therewith to honor and recompence vertue […].
- 1603, John Florio, translating Michel de Montaigne, Essayes, London: Edward Blount, OCLC 946730821, II.7:
- Clever; amusingly ingenious.
- His speech was both witty and informative.
- Full of wit.
- His frequent quips mark him as particularly witty.
- Quick of mind; insightful; in possession of wits.
- She may have grown older, but she has grown no less witty.
Synonyms
Translations
possessing a strong intellect or intellectual capacity
clever; amusingly ingenious
full of wit