How Do You Spell WHET?

Pronunciation: [wˈɛt] (IPA)

The word "whet" has a peculiar spelling that is not quite intuitive. It is spelled with only one "h" even though the "h" sound is pronounced aspirated, as in "hwet". This is why the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription of "whet" is represented as /wɛt/. The "w" sound is followed by a short "e" sound, similar to the sound in "red", and ends with a voiceless "t" sound. Despite its odd spelling, "whet" means to sharpen or stimulate, particularly one's appetite or curiosity.

WHET Meaning and Definition

  1. Whet is a verb that means to sharpen or stimulate. It is commonly used to describe the act of sharpening a blade or cutting instrument by rubbing it against a stone or using a sharpening tool. In this context, whet refers to the action of removing the dullness or restoring the blade's sharpness for effective use.

    Figuratively, whet can also describe the act of stimulating or arousing one's interest, appetite, or curiosity. When something whets our appetite or curiosity, it means it intensifies or increases our desire for or interest in something. It could refer to a piece of intriguing information or a tantalizing preview that heightens our curiosity and makes us eager to know more.

    Whet is often used in phrases such as "whet someone's appetite" or "whet someone's curiosity." For instance, one might say "The smell of freshly baked bread whetted his appetite" or "The teaser trailer for the movie has definitely whetted my curiosity."

    Overall, whet is a versatile word that can be used both literally and figuratively to convey the actions of sharpening or stimulating. Whether it applies to a physical object or an abstract concept, it implies the act of making something more keen, intense, or heightened.

  2. • To sharpen by rubbing or by friction, as a knife or razor; to excite or stimulate, as the appetite; to make keen.
    • The act of sharpening; something that sharpens or stimulates.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for WHET *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for WHET

Etymology of WHET

The word "whet" originated from Old English "hwettan" (with the same spelling) which means "to sharpen" or "to make more acute". The Old English term is derived from the Proto-Germanic root word "hwatjanan" which also means "to sharpen". The etymology of this word can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root word *kweh₂- which means "to sharpen" or "to make eager".

Idioms with the word WHET

  • whet sb's appetite The idiom "whet someone's appetite" means to stimulate or increase someone's interest or desire for something, typically by giving them a small taste or preview of it.
  • whet sm's appetite To "whet someone's appetite" means to stimulate or increase someone's desire or interest in something. It is often used metaphorically to describe something that arouses excitement or anticipation, usually in relation to food, but can also refer to other desires or interests.
  • whet one’s appetite The phrase "whet one's appetite" means to stimulate or increase one's desire or interest in something, often with a preview or small sample. It is used figuratively to refer to an act of arousing curiosity, appetite, or anticipation for something, such as food, a book, an event, or an experience.
  • whet (one's) appetite To whet one's appetite means to stimulate or increase someone's desire or interest in something, usually referring to food or a pleasurable experience. It can also be used metaphorically to describe increasing one's curiosity or excitement about something.
  • whet someone's appetite The idiom "whet someone's appetite" means to stimulate or increase someone's interest in or desire for something, typically by providing a small taste or hint of it. It can refer to food, experiences, entertainment, or any other thing that can ignite someone's curiosity or craving.

Similar spelling words for WHET

Plural form of WHET is WHETS

Conjugate verb Whet

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have whetted
you would have whetted
he/she/it would have whetted
we would have whetted
they would have whetted
I would have whet
you would have whet
he/she/it would have whet
we would have whet
they would have whet

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been whetting
you would have been whetting
he/she/it would have been whetting
we would have been whetting
they would have been whetting

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would whet
you would whet
he/she/it would whet
we would whet
they would whet

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be whetting
you would be whetting
he/she/it would be whetting
we would be whetting
they would be whetting

FUTURE

I will whet
you will whet
he/she/it will whet
we will whet
they will whet

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be whetting
you will be whetting
he/she/it will be whetting
we will be whetting
they will be whetting

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have whetted
you will have whetted
he/she/it will have whetted
we will have whetted
they will have whetted

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been whetting
you will have been whetting
he/she/it will have been whetting
we will have been whetting
they will have been whetting

IMPERATIVE

you whet
we let´s whet

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to whet

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was whetting
you were whetting
he/she/it was whetting
we were whetting
they were whetting

PAST PARTICIPLE

whetted

PAST PERFECT

I had whetted
you had whetted
he/she/it had whetted
we had whetted
they had whetted

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been whetting
you had been whetting
he/she/it had been whetting
we had been whetting
they had been whetting

PRESENT

I whet
you whet
he/she/it whets
we whet
they whet

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am whetting
you are whetting
he/she/it is whetting
we are whetting
they are whetting

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

whetting

PRESENT PERFECT

I have whetted
you have whetted
he/she/it has whetted
we have whetted
they have whetted

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been whetting
you have been whetting
he/she/it has been whetting
we have been whetting
they have been whetting

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it whet

SIMPLE PAST

I whetted
you whetted
he/she/it whetted
we whetted
they whetted

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