NYT Dictionary

WITTY

/ˈwɪti/
AdjectiveWIT-tywit-ty · 2 syllablesGrade 9

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2021, 2026

Meaning

Clever; amusingly ingenious.

Etymology

Origin: Old English

From Middle English witty, witti, from Old English wittiġ, witiġ, ġewittiġ (“clever, wise”), from Proto-West Germanic *witīg, *witag, from Proto-Germanic *witagaz, *wītagaz (“knowing, wise, clever”), equivalent to wit + -y. Cognate with Middle Low German wittich, gewittich (“knowing, clever, wise, understanding”), German witzig (“funny, witty”), Norwegian Bokmål vettig, Norwegian Nynorsk vittig (“witty”).

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

facetioushumorousjocosejocularquicklivelywittyamusingbrightdiverting

Antonyms

brainlesslowbrowstupidwitlesscornyhackneyedlamehumorlessuncomicunfunny

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 1 recorded puzzle:

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