noun · verb · 16 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
Received-Pronunciation:/ˈwɛt/
Received-Pronunciation:[ˈwɛ(ʔ)t̚]
General-American:/ˈwɛt/
General-American:/ˈʍɛt/without the wine–whine merger
General-American:[ˈʍɛ(ʔ)t̚]
General-American:wine-whineRecorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
General-American:non-wine-whineRecorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
homophone: wet (wine–whine merger)
rhymes with -ɛt
CMU ARPABET:W EH1 T
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
CMU ARPABET 2:HH W EH1 T
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
An act of sharpening something by rubbing on an object, especially a whetstone.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
An occasion to do something; a go, a turn.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: broadly, dialectal
Qualifier: archaic except UK
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
A period of time between two sharpenings of a scythe.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: broadly, dialectal
Qualifier: archaic except UK
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
noun
Meaning 4
An item of drink or food consumed as an appetizer or to ward off hunger until a meal; specifically, a small amount of liquor drunk as an appetizer; a dram, a nip.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: figuratively
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
noun
Meaning 5
A thing which makes one's desire, interest, etc., more keen; an incitement, an inducement.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: figuratively
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
verb
Meaning 6
To sharpen (something, such as a knife or sword) by rubbing on an object, especially a whetstone; to hone.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: steel, strop
Antonyms: none provided
7
verb
Meaning 7
Of an animal such as a boar: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing on a stone, etc., in preparation for an attack.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
8
verb
Meaning 8
To make more keen or to stimulate (someone's appetite, interest, etc.); to hone, to sharpen.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: figuratively, transitive
Examples
to whet one's appetite or one's courage
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: rouse, animate, awaken, electrify, enflame, enkindle, enthrill, exagitate, excite, exhilarate, exsuscitate, fillip, fire, fire the blood, galvanize, gin up, ignite, inflame, intoxicate, kindle, quicken, send, set fire to, set on fire, sharpen, stir the blood, suscitate, thrill, vitalise, wake, warm the blood, whet, wind up, work up, yerk
Antonyms: none provided
9
verb
Meaning 9
To encourage (someone) to do something; to incite, to urge.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: figuratively, obsolete, transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
10
verb
Meaning 10
To inculcate or teach (habits, information, etc.).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: figuratively, obsolete, transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: abet, actuate, goose, fuel, light a fire under, send, sting, bring about, cheer, draw, drive, encourage, egg on, engender, evoke, excite, foment, goad, grill, ignite, impel, incite, induce, inflame, instigate, invoke, lash, motive, motivate, move, obligate, oblige, push, promote, prompt, provoke, rouse, set off, spark off, spur, spur on, stimulate, stir, stir up, stoke, tempt, urge, whet, whip up
Antonyms: none provided
11
verb
Meaning 11
Of a bird: to preen (its feathers).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: figuratively, obsolete, rare, transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: primp, smarten up
Antonyms: none provided
12
verb
Meaning 12
To make more keen; to stimulate.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: figuratively, intransitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
13
verb
Meaning 13
To prepare for an attack.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: figuratively, intransitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
14
verb
Meaning 14
To consume drink or food as an appetizer.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: figuratively, intransitive, obsolete
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
15
verb
Meaning 15
sharpen by rubbing, as on a whetstone
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: sharpen
16
verb
Meaning 16
make keen or more acute
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
whet my appetite
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: quicken
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: stimulate, excite, stir
History
Etymology
The verb is derived from Middle English whetten (“to make the edge of (a sword, tool, etc.) sharp; to grunt, snort; to scrape the ground with (one’s feet); to make a chattering or grinding sound; (figurative) of a person: to prepare for battle; to make (one’s wit) alert or keen; to strengthen (one’s heart or will); to incite, provoke”), from Old English hwettan (“to sharpen, whet; (figurative) to encourage, incite”), from Proto-West Germanic *hwattjan (“to sharpen, whet”), from Proto-Germanic *hwatjaną (“to sharpen, whet; (figurative) to incite, instigate”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *kweh1d- (“sharp”). Verb sense 1.3.3 (“to inculcate or teach (habits, information, etc.)”) is from Deuteronomy 6:6–7 in the Bible (New International Version): “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children.” The word translated as impress is Hebrew שָׁנַן (shanán, “to be sharp; to sharpen, whet”). The noun is derived from the verb. cognates * Dialectal Danish hvæde (“to whet”) * Dutch wetten (“to whet, sharpen”) * German wetzen (“to whet, sharpen”) * Icelandic hvetja (“to whet, encourage, catalyze”)
Across languages
Translations
85 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Finnish:
hionta
— act of sharpening something by rubbing on an object
Finnish:
teroitus
— act of sharpening something by rubbing on an object
Finnish:
kahden teroituksen väli
— period of time between two sharpenings of a scythe
Arabic:
حَدَّدَ
(ḥaddada)
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Arabic:
شَحَذَ
(šaḥaḏa)
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Belarusian:
тачы́ць
(tačýcʹ)
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Bulgarian:
остря
(ostrja)
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Bulgarian:
точа
(toča)
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Catalan:
esmolar
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Chinese Mandarin:
磨
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Czech:
brousit
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Czech:
nabrousit
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Czech:
ostřit
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Czech:
naostřit
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Dutch:
wetten
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Dutch:
scherpen
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Dutch:
slijpen
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Finnish:
hioa
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Finnish:
teroittaa
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
French:
aiguiser
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
German:
wetzen
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Hungarian:
köszörül
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Ingrian:
luisata
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Irish:
faobhraigh
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Irish:
géaraigh
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Italian:
affilare
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Lao:
ລັບ
(lap)
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Latin:
acuō
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Luxembourgish:
wetzen
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Luxembourgish:
schäerfen
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Luxembourgish:
schläifen
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Macedonian:
остри
(ostri)
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Macedonian:
точи
(toči)
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Māori:
oroi
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Maranao:
bagid
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Nuosu:
ꍚ
(zhur)
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Polish:
ostrzyć
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Polish:
naostrzyć
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Portuguese:
afiar
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Portuguese:
amolar
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Romanian:
ascuți
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Russian:
пра́вить
(právitʹ)
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Russian:
точи́ть
(točítʹ)
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Russian:
поточи́ть
(potočítʹ)
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Sicilian:
mmulari
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Slovak:
brúsiť
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Slovak:
nabrúsiť
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Slovak:
ostriť
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Slovak:
naostriť
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Spanish:
afilar
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Swedish:
fila
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Swedish:
skärpa
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Swedish:
slipa
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Tamil:
இடங்கம்
(iṭaṅkam)
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Thai:
ลับ
(láp)
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Ukrainian:
точи́ти
(točýty)
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Woiwurrung:
kirk-kirk-konak
— (transitive) to sharpen (something) by rubbing on an object; of an animal: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing — see also hone
Bulgarian:
изострям
(izostrjam)
— (transitive) to make more keen or to stimulate (someone’s appetite, interest, etc.); (intransitive) to make more keen — see also hone, sharpen, stimulate
Bulgarian:
възбуждам
(vǎzbuždam)
— (transitive) to make more keen or to stimulate (someone’s appetite, interest, etc.); (intransitive) to make more keen — see also hone, sharpen, stimulate
Czech:
nabudit
— (transitive) to make more keen or to stimulate (someone’s appetite, interest, etc.); (intransitive) to make more keen — see also hone, sharpen, stimulate
Czech:
podněcovat
— (transitive) to make more keen or to stimulate (someone’s appetite, interest, etc.); (intransitive) to make more keen — see also hone, sharpen, stimulate
Czech:
podnítit
— (transitive) to make more keen or to stimulate (someone’s appetite, interest, etc.); (intransitive) to make more keen — see also hone, sharpen, stimulate
Czech:
povzbuzovat
— (transitive) to make more keen or to stimulate (someone’s appetite, interest, etc.); (intransitive) to make more keen — see also hone, sharpen, stimulate
Czech:
povzbudit
— (transitive) to make more keen or to stimulate (someone’s appetite, interest, etc.); (intransitive) to make more keen — see also hone, sharpen, stimulate
Dutch:
wetten
— (transitive) to make more keen or to stimulate (someone’s appetite, interest, etc.); (intransitive) to make more keen — see also hone, sharpen, stimulate
Dutch:
scherpen
— (transitive) to make more keen or to stimulate (someone’s appetite, interest, etc.); (intransitive) to make more keen — see also hone, sharpen, stimulate
French:
attiser
— (transitive) to make more keen or to stimulate (someone’s appetite, interest, etc.); (intransitive) to make more keen — see also hone, sharpen, stimulate
Irish:
géaraigh
— (transitive) to make more keen or to stimulate (someone’s appetite, interest, etc.); (intransitive) to make more keen — see also hone, sharpen, stimulate
Italian:
stimolare
— (transitive) to make more keen or to stimulate (someone’s appetite, interest, etc.); (intransitive) to make more keen — see also hone, sharpen, stimulate
Italian:
stuzzicare
— (transitive) to make more keen or to stimulate (someone’s appetite, interest, etc.); (intransitive) to make more keen — see also hone, sharpen, stimulate
Māori:
whakapuku
— (transitive) to make more keen or to stimulate (someone’s appetite, interest, etc.); (intransitive) to make more keen — see also hone, sharpen, stimulate
Portuguese:
aguçar
— (transitive) to make more keen or to stimulate (someone’s appetite, interest, etc.); (intransitive) to make more keen — see also hone, sharpen, stimulate
Portuguese:
estimular
— (transitive) to make more keen or to stimulate (someone’s appetite, interest, etc.); (intransitive) to make more keen — see also hone, sharpen, stimulate
Romanian:
ațâța
— (transitive) to make more keen or to stimulate (someone’s appetite, interest, etc.); (intransitive) to make more keen — see also hone, sharpen, stimulate
Russian:
обостря́ть
(obostrjátʹ)
— (transitive) to make more keen or to stimulate (someone’s appetite, interest, etc.); (intransitive) to make more keen — see also hone, sharpen, stimulate
Russian:
обостри́ть
(obostrítʹ)
— (transitive) to make more keen or to stimulate (someone’s appetite, interest, etc.); (intransitive) to make more keen — see also hone, sharpen, stimulate
Russian:
разжигать
(razžigatʹ)
— (transitive) to make more keen or to stimulate (someone’s appetite, interest, etc.); (intransitive) to make more keen — see also hone, sharpen, stimulate
Russian:
разже́чь
(razžéčʹ)
— (transitive) to make more keen or to stimulate (someone’s appetite, interest, etc.); (intransitive) to make more keen — see also hone, sharpen, stimulate
Russian:
возбужда́ть
(vozbuždátʹ)
— (transitive) to make more keen or to stimulate (someone’s appetite, interest, etc.); (intransitive) to make more keen — see also hone, sharpen, stimulate
Russian:
возбуди́ть
(vozbudítʹ)
— (transitive) to make more keen or to stimulate (someone’s appetite, interest, etc.); (intransitive) to make more keen — see also hone, sharpen, stimulate
Sicilian:
allisciari
— (transitive) to make more keen or to stimulate (someone’s appetite, interest, etc.); (intransitive) to make more keen — see also hone, sharpen, stimulate
Sicilian:
scummàttiri
— (transitive) to make more keen or to stimulate (someone’s appetite, interest, etc.); (intransitive) to make more keen — see also hone, sharpen, stimulate
Sicilian:
stuzzinijari
— (transitive) to make more keen or to stimulate (someone’s appetite, interest, etc.); (intransitive) to make more keen — see also hone, sharpen, stimulate
Spanish:
estimular
— (transitive) to make more keen or to stimulate (someone’s appetite, interest, etc.); (intransitive) to make more keen — see also hone, sharpen, stimulate
Finnish:
teroittaa
— (intransitive) to prepare for an attack
