the keen perception and cleverly apt expression of those connections between ideas that awaken amusement and pleasure.

speech or writing showing such perception and expression.

a person having or noted for such perception and expression.

understanding, intelligence, or sagacity; astuteness.

Usually, wits.

powers of intelligent observation, keen perception, ingenious contrivance, or the like; mental acuity, composure, and resourcefulness

using one's wits to get ahead.

mental faculties; senses

to lose one's wits.

at one's wit's end. end 1 ( def. 33 ) .

keep or have one's wits about one

to remain alert and observant; be prepared for or equal to anything

to keep your wits about you in a crisis.

live by one's wits

to provide for oneself by employing ingenuity or cunning; live precariously

We traveled around the world, living by our wits.

noun

seriousness

noun

aphorism , badinage , banter , bon mot , burlesque , drollery , facetiousness , fun , gag , jest , jocularity , joke , lark , levity , pleasantry , practical joke , prank , pun , quip , raillery , repartee , sally , satire , trick , whimsicality , wisecrack , wittiness , wordplay , a million laughs , banterer , card , comedian , comic , cutup , epigrammatist , farceur , funster , gag person , humorist , jester , joker , jokesmith , jokester , life of the party , madcap , punster , quipster , trickster , wag , wisecracker , brain , brainpower , intellect , mentality , mind , sense , understanding , acumen , astuteness , clear-sightedness , discrimination , eye , keenness , nose , penetration , perceptiveness , percipience , percipiency , perspicacity , sagacity , sageness , shrewdness , lucidity , lucidness , reason , saneness , soundness , comedy , comicality , comicalness , drollness , farcicality , funniness , humorousness , jocoseness , jocosity , ludicrousness , ridiculousness , zaniness , clown , funnyman , zany , balance , brains , causerie , cleverness , comprehension , coruscation , cunning , esprit , humor , ingenuity , insight , intelligence , irony , liveliness , mordacity , perception , persiflage , quickness , retort , sanity , sarcasm , senses , spirit , waggishness , wisdom , witticism