witticism

[ wit-uh-siz-uhm ]

noun

1. a witty remark or sentence.

   Synonyms: wisecrack, sally, quip, jest, joke

witticism

/ ˈwɪtɪˌsɪzəm /

noun

1. a clever or witty remark

Word History and Origins

Origin of witticism¹

1645–55; derivative of witty, modeled on criticism

Word History and Origins

Origin of witticism¹

C17: from witty ; coined by Dryden (1677) by analogy with criticism

Example Sentences

The saying — believed to be a witticism about Parker’s own romantic foibles — has been used on the show in some form at least a dozen times since 1985, according to the fan-operated J! archive.

From Los Angeles Times

Incidentally, it’s not the first time the adage — believed to be a witticism about Parker’s own romantic foibles — has been used on the show.

From Los Angeles Times

The samples offered are purple and banal, hardly living up to Gabriel García Márquez’s witticism about similar fabrications.

From New York Times

“It’s a witticism, which is fine as a witticism,” Muñoz Machado told Spanish news agency EFE.

From Seattle Times

All of which would be more than enough to occupy your attention even if the movie slowed its tempo, attenuated its gags or paused to give each actor more than a drolly robotic witticism or two.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• gibe
• wisecrack