different between sarcasm vs witty

English

Etymology

From Late Latin sarcasmus, from Ancient Greek ????????? (sarkasmós, “a sneer”), from ??????? (sarkáz?, “I gnash the teeth (in anger)”, literally “I strip off the flesh”), from ???? (sárx, “flesh”).

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /?s????kæz?m/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?s???kæz?m/

Noun

sarcasm (countable and uncountable, plural sarcasms)

1. (uncountable) Use of acerbic language to mock or convey contempt, often using irony and (in speech) often marked by overemphasis and a sneering tone of voice.
2. (countable) An act of sarcasm.

Synonyms

• (uncountable): derision, facetiousness, irony, ridicule, satire
• (countable): taunt, gibe

Derived terms

• sarcastic

Usage notes

Because sarcasm and irony often go together, people often use sarcasm to refer to irony. Strictly speaking, an ironic statement is one that means the opposite of its content, and a sarcastic statement is an acerbic or sardonic one. To distinguish the two, saying "Oh my gosh, I hate you!" to sincerely congratulate one's best friend on their good fortune is ironic, but not sarcastic; saying, "I'm not a mind reader, okay?" is sarcastic, but not ironic.

Translations

See also

• sarcasm on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

Further reading

• sarcasm in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• sarcasm in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• sarcasm at OneLook Dictionary Search

Romanian

Etymology

From French sarcasme, from Latin sarcasmus.

Noun

sarcasm n (plural sarcasme)

1. sarcasm

Declension

English

Etymology

From Middle English witty, witti, from Old English witti? (“clever, wise”), equivalent to wit +? -y,See Norwegian Bokmål vettig.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?w?ti/
• (US) IPA^(key): /?w?ti/, [?w??i]
• Rhymes: -?ti

Adjective

witty (comparative wittier, superlative wittiest)

1. (obsolete) Wise, having good judgement.

   • Then cam there a lady that was a wytty lady, and she seyde playnly unto the Kyng […] that he sholde never be hole but yf that Sir Trystrames wente into the same contrey than the venym came fro, and in that contrey sholde he be holpyn, other ellys never.

2. (archaic) Possessing a strong intellect or intellectual capacity; intelligent, skilful, ingenious.
3. Clever; amusingly ingenious.

4. Full of wit.

5. Quick of mind; insightful; in possession of wits.

Synonyms

• facetious
• humorous
• jocose
• jocular
• quick
• lively
• See also Thesaurus:witty

Translations