Meaning & use
witticisms
Last updated
“witticisms” is a form of “witticism”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meaning
nounplural
Short, clever and amusing remarks that show quick thinking and skill with words.
Grammar: Plural of witticism: one witticism, several witticisms.
Patterns
- trade witticisms
- a stream of witticisms
The host filled the evening with sharp witticisms.
Her emails were full of dry witticisms that made us laugh.
The two friends traded witticisms all through dinner.
Common combinations
- trade witticisms
- The comedians traded witticisms on stage.
- sparkling witticisms
- The speech included a few sparkling witticisms.
- quick-fire witticisms
- The panel delivered quick-fire witticisms all evening.
- dry witticisms
- His dry witticisms often came with a straight face.
- stream of witticisms
- A stream of witticisms kept the audience laughing.
Synonyms and how they differ
- quips
- Quips are short, witty remarks, and the word is slightly lighter and more casual than witticisms.
- wisecracks
- Wisecracks are often sarcastic or cheeky, while witticisms are usually more elegant.
- jokes
- Jokes are not necessarily clever or neat; witticisms rely on verbal skill.
- one-liners
- One-liners are short jokes delivered quickly, and may be more rehearsed than spontaneous witticisms.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: witticisms or witless?
witticisms vs witless
Witless means foolish or lacking intelligence, the opposite of the idea of witticisms.
Practice
The after-dinner speaker was loved for his ___, which kept everyone laughing.
Choose one answer.
Witticisms are clever, funny remarks, which could keep an audience laughing. Complaints, statistics and warnings would not.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “witticisms”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.