whet

IPA/wet/
KK[wˈɛt]IPA/wet/

whet — 動詞

  • 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

勾起

引出更強烈的興趣或渴望

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.

一段短預告勾起了 Otis 對那部歷史影集的好奇心。

whet + curiosity with a brief first taste

The bakery samples whetted Hana's appetite before lunch.

麵包店的試吃在午餐前勾起了 Hana 的食慾。

常見搭配
  • whet the appetite
  • whet curiosity
  • whet interest
  • whet desire
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

磨利

把刀刃等工具邊緣磨得更鋒利

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.

Christopher 在一塊濕磨刀石上把廚刀磨利了。

whet + tool + on + stone

Before dawn, Sofia whetted her axe beside the woodpile.

天亮前，Sofia 在柴堆旁把她的斧頭磨利。

常見搭配
  • whet a knife
  • whet a blade
  • whet on a stone
  • whet a tool
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.

同根字

常見搭配

名詞搭配

副詞搭配

  • greatly whet
  • further whet

常用片語

  • whet the appetite
  • whet someone's curiosity

介系詞搭配

  • whet ... for
  • whet ... with