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How to Be Witty – 9 Proven Ways to Become a Quick Thinker

Everyone wants to be whip-smart; that’s a given. It is impossible to count down the exact moment of times we wished we had a better comeback to a particular line or even a comeback at all!

We’ve all had encounters that left us tongue-tied or nervous to the point that sweat made waves on our palms. We surely do not want a play-by-play of those moments ever again!

Many people want to know how to be witty, allowing them to carry themselves skillfully in conversations. It’s also commonly thought that wit is something that you either have or don’t. The room for learning does not exist.

But some of you might jump in joy by being told that you can definitely learn how to be witty. In this article, we’re going to provide you with fool-proof ways to develop wit!

Let’s get started.

How to be witty - a funny cat with glasses.

How to Be Witty – A Quick Look

Being witty is often confused with being funny. That’s not the case at all! Nonetheless, wit is an art of a skill to possess and can benefit us immensely. From being the ice-breaker at new encounters to making word-play out of people’s responses, wit is an ally that you want on your side!

But that does not happen at the bat of an eye. You become witty by developing the following mix of social skills:

  • quick thinking
  • observation
  • spontaneity
  • mindfulness
  • irony and sarcasm
  • a healthy sense of humor

Let’s start our deeper dive into the art of wit.

Tip #1 – Become Observant

Become observant - a man with binoculars.

The first thing that might pop into your mind as you skim through this is how being observant helps enhance our wit.

The answer is quite simple.

Witty people take in all details of the environment around them. From the slight tip of someone’s hat to the bite in the weather, witty people know it all, and for a good reason.

Having an orientation to detail gives you good content for quick thinking!

Tip #2 – Work on Your Vocabulary

Work on your vocabulary - cubes spelling 'jargon'.

Does vocabulary have a connection to wit and quick thinking?

It sure does!

Using words that appear to carry weight and fit the context perfectly while doing so is an impressive reflection of wit. 

Reading is an incredible way to give your vocabulary a spectacular boost in little time. We are not saying it is mandatory to become a bookworm overnight. All you have to do is pick up a few interesting, quality books in your free time instead of scrolling through Instagram.

Having a hefty collection of words at hand can certainly help you become a quick thinker.

Tip #3 – Practice Improv

Practice improv - young woman dancing.

In your everyday life, try to test your hand at improvision. Improv is a fool-proof way of becoming a quick and witty thinker.

Improv refers to coming up with entertaining content right at the spot. Of course, training our minds to produce the best possible responses in a conversation at a moment’s notice is a great wit enhancer.

You might be wondering how to practice this daunting skill. We suggest you find a group of friends with whom you feel comfortable, no matter the situation. Try to organize an interesting ‘improv night’, where each of you gets a shot at stand-up comedy. We promise – it will be a lot of fun, even (and especially) if you end up embarrassing yourselves entirely!

While it is easier said than done, if you’re wondering how to be witty, improvision is a good place to start.

Tip #4 – Be Spontaneous

Be spontaneous - two guys making a funny expression.

Yes, we understand that this sounds like another impossible piece of advice. The truth is – there is no wit without spontaneity.

Sometimes, to become witty, people memorize a bunch of lines that they believe will be a hit in any room.

This is the worst possible approach towards becoming witty. It might even damage your chances to do so.

Spontaneity gives essence to wit and brings originality into the whole mix. So be cautious on the use of memorization.

Tip #5 – Don’t Go Overboard

Don't go overboard - young Afro-American holding his head in pain.

Being witty or practicing wit does not mean that you have to take things over-board. On the contrary, striking a good balance within a conversation is, in fact, a part of wit.

We all have that one friend who is generally funny but always manages to take things too far.

(If you can’t think of that person, you might be it. Just kidding. Maybe.)

For instance, one witty line after the other, even when uncalled for, can spoil the entire atmosphere that the good wit had built up.

Quick thinking demands that you know exactly what to say and when to say it.

Tip #6 – Be Present

Be present - listening carefully.

There is one common problem you will face while you try to learn how to be witty. That is – often thinking about what to say next.

In this effort, you will unknowingly exclude yourself from the conversation taking place in front of you. How do you expect to be a quick thinker if you are not even paying attention?

Quick thinking does not ask you to keep thinking all the time, though. That would be too much to ask.

What it does demand is that you are mindful and present as a conversation goes by. Becoming a better listener and doing your best to understand others will go a long way with this skill.

Tip #7 – Take the Lead

Take the lead - young woman in charge.

Leading a conversation is often a good way to insert wit into it whenever you want.

A good pointer for quick thinking is to start and lead a good, engaging, and relevant conversation.

When you start practicing it regularly, this skill will instantly make you stand out in a group. Soon, your friends will establish you as “the witty one.”

Be very careful with this piece of advice!

You are not supposed to become a conversation tyrant. Respect other people’s opinions. Listen to what they have to say. Appreciate them pitching in and improving the quality of the conversation.

What you should do is radiate confidence and not be afraid to start up an interesting topic. If you are the one who brings amusing ideas to the table, you will usually be in charge of the conversation.

Tip #8 – Align with Your Audience

Align with your audience - a group of diverse people.

One of the most important things about being witty is being observant, as we mentioned before.

Observation also involves being aware of your audience. You have to know and understand the kind of people you are dealing with because everyone does not appreciate all types of wit.

Each of us has a very different sense of humor. Sometimes, your audience are not “your” people. That does not mean you can’t adapt and observe.

Don’t be fake, though. Learning how to be witty simply demands that you know how to suit your context. Good observational skills are necessary here.

Next time you are having a conversation with a group of people, try to notice how each person responds to different humor types. You will soon find out that you can build connections faster than ever!

Tip #9 – Irony and Sarcasm All the Way

Sarcastic young woman.

A good preset to being witty is practicing irony and sarcasm in all their glory. Both are almost always enjoyable, but you have to be careful how you use them.

How do you that?

Mostly by watching other people who are very funny and understand the art of sarcasm. You will start to pick up on many subtle cues and tricks that will help you improve in this area through watching and learning.

Sarcastic individuals are bound to be quick thinkers, so working on the above-given tips is bound to lead you to develop a very fine sense of irony as well as sarcasm.

Conclusion

Learning how to be witty is simply all a matter of changing your perspective and adjusting to your environment.

You will soon appear comfortable and relaxed in any crowd. Wit also exudes confidence and thus makes the best out of everything.

Conclusively, being witty depends on quick thinking, which is a matter of good practice and mental stimulation.

Which of our tips did you find the most useful? Let’s discuss it in the comments below!

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