whet
whet Lexical Profile
whet Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To excite, stimulate, or make keen (especially someone's appetite, curiosity, or desire).
"The introductory lecture was designed to whet the students' curiosity about ancient civilizations."
To sharpen the blade of a tool or weapon by rubbing it on or with a stone.
"The farmer paused at the edge of the field to whet his scythe before cutting the tall grass."
• noun
An act of sharpening a blade or tool.
"The carpenter gave the chisel a quick whet on the oilstone before resuming his carving."
Something that stimulates or excites the appetite or desire, such as an appetizer.
"A small glass of dry sherry served as a pleasant whet before the main banquet."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'whet' (to sharpen or stimulate) with its near-homophone 'wet' (to moisten); the common idiom is 'to whet one's appetite,' never 'to wet one's appetite.'
• Rhymes for whet
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'hwettan' (to sharpen or incite), derived from the Proto-Germanic root '*hwataz' meaning 'sharp, keen, or brisk.'
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.