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

An early example shows Mahesh’s new landlord making a wisecrack that he might be a terrorist.

From Salon

More powerful than any wisecrack was the space she left for anticipation not only of what she might say but how she might say it.

From Los Angeles Times

Tipsy and flailing a champagne glass around in one hand, she alludes to a Detroit stereotype about cheap housing, making a wisecrack about outsiders thinking houses can be bought for $15.

From Los Angeles Times

In 2019, Barack Obama said: "I've always appreciated her steadiness, her perspective, and the way a wisecrack from her reverberates around the room."

From BBC

In the aftermath of her cable show being canceled last April, Ziwe has spent her post Showtime period being online famous in continuing her spicy brand of witty, wisecrack colloquial humor.

From Salon

Related Words

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