whet

1 of 2

verb

ˈ(h)wet 

whetted; whetting

transitive verb

1

: to sharpen by rubbing on or with something (such as a stone)

whet a knife

2

: to make keen or more acute : excite, stimulate

whet the appetite

whetted her curiosity

whetter noun

whet

2 of 2

noun

1

dialect

a

: a spell of work done with a scythe between the time it is sharpened and the time it needs to be sharpened again

b

: time, while

2

: something that sharpens or makes keen:

a

: goad, incitement

b

: appetizer

also : a drink of liquor

Synonyms

Verb

• edge
• grind
• hone
• sharpen
• stone
• strop

Examples of whet in a Sentence

Verb

We had some wine to whet our appetites.

The ads are trying to whet booksellers' interest.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Meant to whet the appetite and always paired with a small, savory bite, l’apéro often takes place during the transition from day to evening, though a lunchtime apéro isn’t unheard-of. —Rebekah Peppler, New York Times, 17 May 2024

Here, two flight attendants whet our appetites by sharing their expert advice for navigating the snack cart. —Kelsey Mulvey, Sunset Magazine, 17 May 2024

Noun

Geico has been for years one of TV’s biggest advertisers, but, in a twist, its recent TV commercials have tried to whet appetites for the documentary, which will run on YouTube, with shorter versions on TikTok. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 8 Feb. 2024

In refusing to tie up loose ends or even explain exactly what our protagonists are up against, the writer-director doesn’t frustrate expectations so much as whet appetite for future installments where those concerns will presumably be addressed. —Dennis Harvey, Variety, 5 Oct. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English whetten, from Old English hwettan; akin to Old High German wezzen to whet, waz sharp

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

circa 1628, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing whet

• saw-whet owl
• whet one's appetite

Kids Definition

whet

verb

ˈhwet,

ˈwet

whetted; whetting

1

: to sharpen by rubbing on or with something (as a stone)

whet a knife

2

: to make keen : stimulate

whet the appetite