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Wry: meaning, definitions and examples

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wry

 

[ raɪ ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

sense of humor

Using or expressing dry, especially mocking, humor.

Synonyms

ironic, sarcastic, satirical

Examples of usage

  • He made wry jokes about the situation.
  • Her wry sense of humor always made me laugh.
Context #2 | Adjective

facial expression

Twisted or bent to one side, often in a humorous or ironic manner.

Synonyms

crooked, sardonic, twisted

Examples of usage

  • She gave him a wry smile.
  • The cat looked at me with a wry expression.

Translations

Translations of the word "wry" in other languages:

🇵🇹 irônico

🇮🇳 विकृत

🇩🇪 sarkastisch

🇮🇩 sarkastis

🇺🇦 іронічний

🇵🇱 sarkastyczny

🇯🇵 皮肉な

🇫🇷 ironique

🇪🇸 irónico

🇹🇷 alaycı

🇰🇷 비꼬는

🇸🇦 ساخر

🇨🇿 ironický

🇸🇰 ironický

🇨🇳 讽刺的

🇸🇮 ironičen

🇮🇸 kaldhæðinn

🇰🇿 ирониялы

🇬🇪 ირონიული

🇦🇿 ironik

🇲🇽 irónico

Word origin

The word 'wry' originated from the Old English word 'wrigian', meaning 'to twist or turn'. Over time, the meaning of 'wry' evolved to include both a sense of twisted humor and a physical twist or bend. The adjective 'wry' has been used in English literature since the 16th century to describe both humorous wit and a twisted expression. It has become a versatile term to convey both dry humor and a sardonic twist, making it a popular choice for writers and speakers alike.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,454, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.