whet

/wet/ (bre, ipa) · [wˈɛt] /wet/ (ame, ipa) · [wˈɛt] /ˈ(h)wet How to pronounce whet (audio)/ (ame, mw)

whet — verb

  • whetpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • whetshe / she / it
  • whettedpast simple
  • whetting-ing form

1. to make someone want something more strongly, often by letting them see or try a

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to make someone want something more strongly, often by letting them see or try a small part of it first

例句

A short trailer whetted Otis's curiosity about the history series.

whet + curiosity with a brief first taste

The bakery samples whetted Hana's appetite before lunch.

同義詞
  • arouse

    broader and slightly more formal; often used for feelings or interest

  • stimulate

    more general; can describe mental or physical activity

  • spark

    emphasises causing interest to begin suddenly

反義詞
  • dampen

    to make interest or excitement weaker

  • discourage

    to reduce someone's wish to continue

文法句型

whet + appetite/interest/curiosity

whet + someone's desire for + noun

用法筆記

Most often used with nouns such as 'appetite', 'interest', 'curiosity', or 'desire'. It usually suggests that a small experience creates stronger interest in something more.

常見錯誤

❌The trailer increased my appetite to watch the film.
✅The trailer whetted my appetite for the film.
💡'whet' usually appears with set nouns like 'appetite' or 'interest', often followed by 'for'.
❌The free class whetted me to learn Spanish.
✅The free class whetted my interest in learning Spanish.
💡The verb normally takes an abstract noun object, not a person directly.

2. to sharpen the cutting edge of a blade or other edged tool by rubbing it on a ro

2.動詞及物C2
釋義

to sharpen the cutting edge of a blade or other edged tool by rubbing it on a rough surface

例句

Christopher whetted the kitchen knife on a wet stone.

whet + tool + on + stone

Before dawn, Sofia whetted her axe beside the woodpile.

同義詞
  • sharpen

    the usual everyday verb for improving an edge

  • hone

    often implies careful sharpening or improving a skill

反義詞
  • blunt

    to make an edge less sharp

  • dull

    to reduce the sharpness of a blade

文法句型

whet + knife/blade

whet + tool + on/with + stone

用法筆記

This sense is mainly used for blades and edged tools. In everyday English, many speakers simply say 'sharpen', while 'whet' often sounds literary or old-fashioned.

常見錯誤

❌She whetted the pencil before class.
✅She sharpened the pencil before class.
💡'whet' is mainly used for blades and tools with an edge, not ordinary pencils.
❌He whetted the knife very sharp.
✅He whetted the knife on a stone until it was sharp.
💡'whet' describes the sharpening action itself, not the final adjective.