WET vs WHET: simple tips to remember the difference

WET vs WHET: which is which? These spelling tips and usage examples will help you remember the difference

The words WET and WHET are easy to confuse because they are homophones – words that sound the same but mean different things. And, while WHET is far less common than WET, there are important differences in meaning that I can help you learn.

Here are my simple tips to remember the difference between WET and WHET.

When to use WET

WET can be an adjective or a verb.

It’s the opposite of dry, or the process of wetting. Here’s how to use WET in a sentence as an adjective:

“All the benches are WET – let’s keep walking.”

Here’s how to use WET in a sentence as a verb:

“Be sure to WET your hair before applying the conditioner.”

When to use WHET

WHET is a verb that means to stimulate or sharpen. Here’s how to use WHET in a sentence:

“The teaser trailer WHET the appetite of movie fans everywhere.”

Pro tip

You ‘WET your whistle’ when you quench your thirst, but might ‘WHET your appetite’ with a snack when you’re hungry.

The abrasive block used to sharpen a blade is called a WHETstone, not a WET stone. (A WET stone won’t sharpen anything!)

Now you know the difference between WET and WHET. I hope my tips help you remember the difference between these commonly confused words!

Get more tips in The Little Book of Confusables