whet Definition
- 1to sharpen the blade of (a tool or weapon)
- 2to stimulate (someone's desire, interest, or appetite)
Using whet: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "whet" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
He whetted his knife on the stone.
Example
The preview whetted my appetite for the movie.
Example
The smell of fresh bread whetted her hunger.
Example
The coach tried to whet the team's competitive spirit.
whet Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with whet
Example
After a long day at work, he went to the pub to whet his whistle.
Example
The trailer for the new movie really whetted my appetite to see it.
a stone used for sharpening knives or other cutting tools
Example
He used a whetstone to sharpen his hunting knife.
Origins of whet
from Old English 'hwettan', meaning 'to sharpen'
Summary: whet in Brief
'Whet' [hwet, wet] is a verb that means to sharpen a tool or weapon, or to stimulate someone's desire, interest, or appetite. Examples include 'He whetted his knife on the stone,' and 'The preview whetted my appetite for the movie.' Phrases like 'whet one's whistle' refer to drinking to quench one's thirst, while 'whet someone's appetite' means to increase their interest or desire for something.