Understanding the Difference Between Wet and Whet

Wet vs Whet

History of the Words

Wet comes from Old English “wǣtan,” meaning to make something full of water. It’s used when something has water on it. Whet comes from Old English “hwettan,” meaning to sharpen something. It’s used when you want to make a blade sharper or to make a feeling stronger.

How to Use Them

Wet is an adjective or a verb. It describes things that have water. Whet is a verb. It means to make a blade sharp or to make a feeling, like hunger, stronger.

Trick to Remember the Difference

Think of wet with water. They both start with “w” and have “et” at the end. Think of whet with “sharpen” or “hunger” because it has the letter “h” for “hunger” and “sharpen.”

Examples for Wet

• The grass is wet from the rain.
• After swimming, my hair is wet.
• The dog jumped in the pool and got wet.
• I need a towel because my clothes are wet.
• The paint is still wet.

Examples for Whet

• The chef whets the knife before cooking.
• The smell of pizza whets my appetite.
• Reading a good book can whet your mind.
• They whet the blade on the stone.
• The story whetted my interest in history.

Summary of Usage

Use wet when talking about things that have water on them. Use whet when making something sharp or when making a feeling stronger, like hunger or interest. Remember: wet is about water, and whet is about sharpening or exciting feelings.