Definition

A small amount of food or drink that is served to stimulate the appetite before a meal.

Example

The chef prepared a delicious whet to start the dinner.

Conversation

I brought some snacks to whet our appetite before dinner.

That's great! I'm feeling a bit hungry already.

Yeah, a little something to enjoy will make the wait easier.

Absolutely! It’s always nice to have a good whet before a meal.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Definition

To make something sharper or more intense, especially in terms of appetite or a tool like a knife.

Example

The chef used a stone to whet the knife before preparing the meal.

Tense Forms

Conversation

Did you smell that delicious food cooking?

Yeah, it really whet my appetite for dinner!

I hope we can try some of that soon.

Root Explanation

Whet → It originates from Old English 'hwettan', meaning to sharpen or to make keen. The word 'whet' refers to the act of sharpening a blade or increasing one's appetite.

Memory Tip

Think of sharpening a knife to make it keen — that's why 'whet' means to sharpen or stimulate.

Visually Confused Words