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Gay vs Witty - What's the difference?

gay | witty | Related terms |

In obsolete terms the difference between gay and witty

is that gay is an ornament while witty is wise, having good judgement.

As adjectives the difference between gay and witty

is that gay is happy, joyful, and lively while witty is wise, having good judgement.

As a proper noun Gay

is {{surname|A=An|English|from=nicknames}}, originally a nickname for a cheerful or lively person.

As a noun gay

is a homosexual, especially a male homosexual; see also lesbian.

As a verb gay

is to make happy or cheerful.

gay

English

Proper noun

(en proper noun)
  • , originally a nickname for a cheerful or lively person.
  • from the word gay, "joyful"; rare today.
  • . Also a shortened form of Gabriel, Gaylord and similar names, or transferred from the surname.
  • * 1992 , Unto the Sons , Ballantine Books 1993, ISBN 0804110336, page 15
  • - - - my father's father, Gaetano Talese ( whose name I inherited after my birth in 1932, in the anglicized from of "Gay "), was an atypically fearless traveler,
  • * 2004 , Bad Dirt , Fourth Estate, ISBN 0007196911, page 32
  • "Mr Gay Brawls. What a name."
    "It didn't use to mean what it means now. Plenty were named Gay'. Even in Nevada. Was old ' Gay Pitch had a gas station in Winnemucca. Nobody thought nothin about it and he raised a railroad car of kids.- - -

    Anagrams

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    witty

    English

    Adjective

    (er)
  • (label) Wise, having good judgement.
  • *, Bk.VIII, Ch.viij:
  • *:Then cam there a lady that was a wytty lady, and she seyde playnly unto the Kyngthat he sholde never be hole but yf that Sir Trystrames wente into the same contrey than the venym came fro, and in that contrey sholde he be holpyn, other ellys never.
  • (label) Possessing a strong intellect or intellectual capacity; intelligent, skilful, ingenious.
  • *, II.7:
  • *:It hath beene a witty invention.
  • Clever; amusingly ingenious.
  • :
  • Full of wit.
  • :
  • Quick of mind; insightful; in possession of wits.
  • :
  • Synonyms

    * facetious * humorous * jocose * jocular * quick * See also