Whet
To stimulate or arouse; to sharpen a blade by grinding on a whetstone.
verbWhet
To stimulate or arouse; to sharpen a blade by grinding on a whetstone.
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Imagine This
Imagine a dull kitchen knife resting on a whetstone. As you rub it, the edge gleams and becomes keen, and your curiosity about a mystery is whetted by a surprising clue nearby.
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Sounds Like
wet
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Looks Like
Looks like 'wheat' (similar spelling) and sounds like 'wet' (similar pronunciation).
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Remember This
Common phrase: 'to whet one's appetite' means to stimulate interest or desire.
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Other Forms
whettedpast participle / past tense
whettingpresent participle
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Connect With
sharpen, hone, stimulate, arouse, excite, whet appetite
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Note
Whet is a verb meaning to sharpen or to stimulate. Do not confuse with 'wet' (moist) or with the noun 'whetstone' (the sharpening stone). The correct past tense is whetted; present participle is whetting.