Wittier

Wittier is the comparative form of the English adjective witty. It describes something or someone that displays a higher degree of wit—clever, quick, and inventive humor or insight—than another subject. In usage, wittier often refers to sharper wordplay, more perceptive humor, or quicker verbal repartee.

Etymology and form: The base adjective witty comes from Old English wit, meaning knowledge or understanding, and developed its sense of clever humor in the Middle English period. The comparative form was formed with the suffix -ier, yielding wittier. The related adverb is wittily, and the noun form of wit remains distinct from this adjective.

Usage notes: Wittier is commonly used in both formal and informal writing to indicate a higher level of wit relative to another item. It can contrast with funnier (emphasizing humor rather than cleverness) or cleverer (emphasizing cleverness, which may or may not be humorous). The term often implies a combination of quick thinking, wordplay, and linguistic dexterity.

Examples: Her wittier remarks kept the audience engaged, balancing humor with sharp observation. The comedian’s wittier banter set him apart from the others on the lineup. When comparing two authors, one might say that the later novel is wittier for its tighter phrasing and more inventive turns of phrase.

See also: wit, wit and humor, witty, wittiness.