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Old English wittiġ ‎(clever, wise), corresponding to wit +‎ -y.



witty ‎(comparative wittier, superlative wittiest)

  1. (obsolete) Wise, having good judgement.
    • 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte d'Arthur, Bk.VIII, Ch.viij:
      Then cam there a lady that was a wytty lady, and she seyde playnly unto the Kyng [] that he sholde never be hole but yf that Sir Trystrames wente into the same contrey than the venym came fro, and in that contrey sholde he be holpyn, other ellys never.
  2. (archaic) Possessing a strong intellect or intellectual capacity; intelligent, skilful, ingenious.
    • 1603, John Florio, translating Michel de Montaigne, Essays, II.7:
      It hath beene a witty invention [] to establish and ordaine certaine vaine and worthles markes, therewith to honor and recompence vertue [].
  3. Clever; amusingly ingenious.
    His speech was both witty and informative.
  4. Full of wit.
    His frequent quips mark him as particularly witty.
  5. Quick of mind; insightful; in possession of wits.
    She may have grown older, but she has grown no less witty.