whet

1 of 2

verb

ˈ(h)wet How to pronounce whet (audio)
whetted; whetting
Synonyms of whet

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 of whet

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Verb

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Like anticipation for an upcoming summer blockbuster movie, the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll whets the appetite for college football fans ahead of the teams returning to the field. — Erick Smith, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026 One section tracks the influence of the Alhambra complex, in Granada, where artists trekked to whet their appetites for the exotic. — Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 13 July 2026 Ahead of the show’s release, FX has planned ice cream trucks themed to each previous season at San Diego Comic-Con to whet fans’ appetite. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 10 July 2026 The team whetted fans’ appetites by promising initiatives involving Fieri throughout the race season. — Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for whet

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of whet was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing whet

Rhymes for whet

See All Rhymes for whet

Browse Nearby Words

wherryman
whet
whether
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Whet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whet. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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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

More from Merriam-Webster on whet

Nglish: Translation of whet for Spanish Speakers

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