wit
wit — 名詞
- witsingular
- witsplural
1. The quality of being able to express ideas in a way that is both clever and amus
機智；詼諧
用語言展現的幽默與聰明
The quality of being able to express ideas in a way that is both clever and amusing, especially through unexpected or skilful use of language.
Diya's sharp wit kept the dinner guests laughing all evening.
Diya 的機智讓晚餐客人整晚笑個不停。
possessive + adjective + wit as subject
The film was praised for the dry wit of its dialogue.
這部電影因其對白中的冷面詼諧而受到好評。
collocation: dry wit
You need a certain kind of wit to write good comedy.
要寫出好的喜劇，你需要某種特定的機智。
A speech full of wit and charm can win over even a difficult audience.
一場充滿機智與魅力的演講，能夠打動再挑剔的觀眾。
collocation: full of wit
Nkechi combined warmth and wit, so her humorous remarks never felt mean.
Nkechi 把溫暖與機智結合在一起，所以她幽默的話語從不傷人。
- dry wit
- sharp wit
- quick wit
- wry wit
- caustic wit
- wit and charm
- wit and humour
- humour
Broader term — humour can mean the quality of being funny in any way; wit specifically involves clever use of language.
- cleverness
Focuses on intelligence rather than humour; a clever remark may not be funny, but a witty one usually is.
- sarcasm
A specific form of wit that uses irony to criticise or mock; not all wit is sarcastic.
- dullness
Lack of liveliness or sharpness in expression.
用法筆記
Frequently modified by adjectives that describe the type of humor: 'dry wit,' 'sharp wit,' 'quick wit.' Unlike 'humour,' which can describe a situation, 'wit' nearly always describes a person's quality or the character of something they create.
常見錯誤
2. Someone naturally gifted at making clever and amusing remarks, especially in con
風趣的人
擅長說出機智妙語的人
Someone naturally gifted at making clever and amusing remarks, especially in conversation or public speaking.
The famous writer was known as a brilliant wit in London literary circles.
那位知名作家在倫敦文學圈中被譽為絕頂風趣的人。
countable: a [adjective] wit
Haruto, a local wit, always had a clever response ready at the village meetings.
Haruto 算是當地的一位風趣人士，村裡開會時他總能機智接話。
Many past-century wits are known more for their quotes than their books.
上個世紀許多偉大的風趣人物，人們記住的是他們的金句而非著作。
plural: wits = witty people
Megan was the sharpest wit in the office and made every team meeting more interesting.
她是辦公室裡最機智風趣的人，讓每次團隊會議都更有趣。
- great wit
- brilliant wit
- local wit
- sharpest wit
用法筆記
This sense is mainly found in formal or literary writing, or when describing historical or famous figures. In everyday speech, 'a funny person' or 'someone who is very witty' is far more common.
3. The natural ability to think clearly, react quickly, and make good decisions in
急智；機敏
快速思考和隨機應變的能力
The natural ability to think clearly, react quickly, and make good decisions in a difficult or unexpected situation.
Liam had the wit to call an ambulance as soon as he saw the accident.
Liam 在目睹事故後立刻想到叫救護車。
wit + to + infinitive: had the wit to
Saira kept her wits about her during the blackout and found candles for the children.
停電期間她保持警覺，為孩子們找到了蠟燭。
idiom: keep one's wits about one
A long hike in unfamiliar country demands quick wits and steady nerves.
在不熟悉的地方長途健行，需要過人的機敏和穩定的膽識。
collocation: quick wits
Mert used all his wits to talk his way out of a difficult situation.
Mert 用盡機智才從一個棘手的局面中脫身。
The rescue team needed every ounce of wit and courage to reach the stranded climbers.
救援隊需要發揮所有急智與勇氣，才能抵達受困的登山客。
- quick wits
- keep your wits
- have the wit to
- sharp wits
- use your wits
- intelligence
Broader and more formal; intelligence includes general mental ability, whereas wit in this sense emphasises speed and practical judgment.
- resourcefulness
Focuses on finding clever solutions; close in meaning to 'wits' when used in the plural.
- shrewdness
Emphasises practical, often self-interested judgment; wit here is broader and less calculating.
- stupidity
Lack of intelligence or good sense.
文法句型
wit + to + infinitive
用法筆記
The singular form ('had the wit to…') focuses on a single act of intelligent judgement. The plural 'wits' ('keep your wits about you') suggests an ongoing state of alertness. Many common idioms use the plural form (see idioms below).
常見錯誤
4. A short, clever, and amusing comment made during a conversation — a witty line o
妙語
對話中簡短而風趣的評論
A short, clever, and amusing comment made during a conversation — a witty line or quip.
Élise ended the debate with a perfectly timed wit that drew applause from the audience.
Élise 以一則恰到好處的妙語結束了辯論，贏得全場掌聲。
countable: a [adverb] wit
The play is full of sharp wits exchanged between the two main characters.
這部戲中充滿了兩位主角之間一來一往的機鋒妙語。
plural: wits = witty remarks
Tamás collected the best wits from dinner parties in a small leather notebook.
Tamás 把餐會上最精彩的妙語蒐集在一本小皮面筆記本裡。
Her response was a gentle wit — funny enough to break the tension without offending anyone.
她的回應是一則溫和的妙語——有趣到足以緩和氣氛，卻不冒犯任何人。
- sharp wit
- quick wit
- exchange wits
- best wits
at your wits' end
idiomSo worried or annoyed by a problem that you no longer know what to do.
不知所措；黔驢技窮
The toddler would not stop crying, and Dewi was at her wits' end by midnight.
After three days with no internet connection, the whole office was at its wits' end.
To stay alert and ready to think or act quickly in a situation that may change suddenly.
保持警覺；隨機應變
You have to keep your wits about you when riding a scooter through busy city traffic.
Aylin had her wits about her and spotted the mistake before anyone else did.
To shock or frighten someone extremely badly.
嚇得魂不附體
The sudden noise behind her scared Lien out of her wits.
Vinícius was frightened out of his wits when the car skidded on the icy road.
live by your wits
idiomTo earn money by being clever and resourceful, sometimes in ways that are not completely honest.
靠小聰明維生
Without a regular job, he survived by living by his wits on the streets of the city.
The character in the novel is a charming trickster who lives by his wits.
be at your wits’ end
idiomTo feel completely confused and not know how to solve a problem.
不知所措
After losing his keys for the third time, Tom was at his wits' end.
Maya was at her wits' end trying to fix the broken computer.
To be extremely frightened.
嚇得魂不附體
The loud thunder scared the little girl out of her wits.
Diego was frightened out of his wits by the sudden knock on the door.
To stay alert and think clearly in a difficult situation.
保持警覺
You need to keep your wits about you when driving in heavy rain.
Sara had her wits about her and quickly called for help.
to wit
idiomUsed to introduce more specific information about something just mentioned.
即
He mentioned one major problem, to wit, the lack of funding.
The report highlighted a key issue, to wit, poor communication.