witty
gb/wˈɪti/ us/wˈɪti/
B2
English
~ 7700
szellemes, elmés
B2
1
Usage pattern:
[someone] is witty
Her witty remarks kept the whole table laughing during dinner.
Szellemes megjegyzései miatt az egész társaság végignevette a vacsorát.
The interview was full of witty banter between the host and the actor.
Az interjú tele volt szellemes évődéssel a műsorvezető és a színész között.
He is known for his witty tweets about everyday life.
The play is light, fast, and extremely witty.
She gave a witty comeback that ended the argument without being rude.
Learner examples
The comedian was very witty and made everyone laugh.
A humorista nagyon szellemes volt, és mindenkit megnevettetett.
He wrote a short, witty message in her birthday card.
Rövid, szellemes üzenetet írt a születésnapi üdvözlőlapjába.
I like talking to her because she is smart and witty.
The movie is funny and full of witty lines.
His witty comment made the boring meeting more fun.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'witty' to describe physical appearance (e.g., *a witty dress* or *a witty face*), but in modern English 'witty' almost always describes people, their speech, writing, or comments, not how something looks. Learners also confuse 'witty' with 'funny': something 'funny' can be simple or even silly, but 'witty' suggests clever, intelligent humor, often in words.
Meaning
quick and cleverly funny
Collocations
witty remark
|witty comment
|witty comeback
|witty banter
|witty dialogue
|witty writer
Synonyms
clever (Emphasizes intelligence and quick thinking; not always funny, while 'witty' usually includes humor.)
|
humorous (General word for being funny; 'witty' suggests a sharper, smarter kind of humor.)
|
quick-witted (Stresses mental speed; 'witty' stresses both speed and humorous expression.)
|
sharp (Can suggest biting or critical intelligence; 'witty' is usually more playful and charming.)
Antonyms
dull (Describes someone or something that is not interesting or mentally lively, the opposite of lively, witty humor.)
|
humorless (Describes someone who does not show or enjoy humor, the opposite of someone who is witty.)
|
boring (Focuses on causing no interest or amusement, unlike a witty person who entertains others.)
Themes
communication
|personality
|humor
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Able to say or write clever and funny things quickly.
Showing quick, inventive, and intelligent humor, especially in speech or writing.
Grammar
Dictionary form
witty
IPA
GB/wˈɪti/
US/wˈɪti/
Syllables & stress
witty (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (witty)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: witty
- Comparative: wittier
- Superlative: wittiest
Word family
Forms
wittier
adjective
wittiest
adjective
Core family
Negative and opposite forms
witless
adjective
Advanced or less common
witticism
noun
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.