wisecrack

1 of 2

noun

wise·​crack ˈwīz-ˌkrak 

: a clever or sarcastic remark

wisecrack

2 of 2

verb

wisecracked; wisecracking; wisecracks

intransitive verb

: to make a wisecrack

wisecracker noun

Synonyms

Noun

• boff
• boffo
• boffola
• crack
• drollery
• funny
• gag
• giggle [chiefly British]
• jape
• jest
• joke
• josh
• laugh
• nifty
• one-liner
• pleasantry
• quip
• rib
• sally
• waggery
• witticism
• yuk [slang]
• yuck
• yak
• yock

Verb

• banter
• chaff
• fool
• fun
• gag
• jape
• jest
• jive
• joke
• jolly
• josh
• kid
• quip
• yuk [slang]
• yuck

Examples of wisecrack in a Sentence

Noun

Someone in the theater was making wisecracks during the entire movie.

a whispered wisecrack doubled them over in laughter

Verb

wisecracked to hide his nervousness during the auditions

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Eager to prove herself after a traumatic incident with a former witness, Madolyn vows to execute her responsibilities by the book, regardless of Winston’s nonstop stream of disruptive wisecracks. —Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 23 Jan. 2025

And yes, that dollar figure is the 77th million wisecrack over Jimbo Fisher’s buyout. —David Whitley, The Tennessean, 22 Dec. 2024

Verb

There are enough plot twists, silly one-liners, and time-travel antics to keep everyone entertained, and even a wisecracking alligator. —Jennifer M. Wood, WIRED, 19 Nov. 2024

Following 2019’s photorealistic remake of The Lion King, Eichner and Rogen reprise their roles as the wisecracking meerkat and warthog in Mufasa: The Lion King. —Jack Smart, People.com, 1 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1924, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1924, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

wisecrack

noun

wise·​crack

ˈwīz-ˌkrak

: a clever, smart, or joking remark

wisecrack verb

wisecracker noun