wisecrack

[ wahyz-krak ]

noun

1. a smart or facetious remark.

   Synonyms: quip, witticism, jest

verb (used without object)

1. to make wisecracks.

verb (used with object)

1. to say as a wisecrack.

wisecrack

/ ˈwaɪzˌkræk /

noun

1. a flippant gibe or sardonic remark

verb

1. to make a wisecrack

Derived Forms

• ˈwiseˌcracker, noun

Other Words From

• wisecracker noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of wisecrack¹

An Americanism dating back to 1910–15; wise ¹ + crack

Example Sentences

During an earlier safety lecture, one of the workers, Nick Fileccia, had made a few wisecracks.

From Time

Playing Morrie Schwartz, a 78-year-old Brandeis University sociology professor with an ALS diagnosis and months to live, Russotto is effortlessly effervescent as his character doles out slices of life-affirming wisdom and tension-cutting wisecracks.

From Washington Post

He reportedly made a wisecrack while Duke was playing jazz on a piano.

From Washington Blade

She talks like her daughter now; everyone does, in that speedy, all-knowing, wisecrack-spattered sitcom patois of Modern Family.

From The Daily Beast

“He responds to serious criticism by a biting wisecrack or diversionary personal attack,” Evans added.

From The Daily Beast

He responds to serious criticism by a biting wisecrack or diversionary personal attack.

From The Daily Beast

An anecdote about a wisecrack that Lebowitz made at an event in support of Russian Jews is worth the price of admission.

From The Daily Beast

The Tea Partiers adore Sarah Palin because she reduces political questions to a kitchen-table wisecrack or a bedroom taunt.

From The Daily Beast

Freddy Farmer's comment on Dave's wisecrack was a pronounced snort.

From Project Gutenberg

Dawson started to make another wisecrack, but the deadly serious look on young Farmer's face stopped him.

From Project Gutenberg

His sense of humor might have got the better of him and brought forth a wisecrack or two.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• clowning
• gag
• one-liner
• prank
• quip
• witticism
• zinger