whet

[hwet, wet]

verb (used with object)

whetted, whetting 

1. to sharpen (a knife, tool, etc.) by grinding or friction.

2. to make keen or eager; stimulate.

   to whet the appetite; to whet the curiosity.

noun

1. the act of whetting.

2. something that whets; appetizer or drink.

3. Chiefly Southern U.S.

   1. a spell of work.

   2. a while.

      to talk a whet.

whet

/ wɛt /

verb

1. to sharpen, as by grinding or friction

2. to increase or enhance (the appetite, desire, etc); stimulate

noun

1. the act of whetting

2. a person or thing that whets

Other Word Forms

• whetter noun
• unwhetted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of whet¹

before 900; Middle English whetten (v.), Old English hwettan (derivative of hwæt bold); cognate with German wetzen, Old Norse hvetja, Gothic gahwatjan to incite

Word History and Origins

Origin of whet¹

Old English hwettan; related to hvæt sharp, Old High German hwezzen, Old Norse hvetja, Gothic hvatjan

Example Sentences

Alcaraz fighting back from two sets down - and having saved three championship points - to win a five-setter in over five hours has whetted the appetite for Wimbledon.

From BBC

With joy in short supply these days, whetting our focus on what matters counts.

From Salon

It was a French Open that delivered the lot - and whets the appetite for the Wimbledon, which is just around the corner.

From BBC

Here are a few tales to whet your appetite - or perhaps put you off your dinner.

From BBC

English helped fund all the English-is-great propositions of my childhood to whet the xenophobic appetite of some Americans.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• incite 
• kindle 
• pique 
• stimulate