Wry
adjective /raɪ/ — Humorously dry or ironic
Definition
Using or expressing dry, understated humour — often with a slight twist of irony that acknowledges the gap between how things are and how they should be.
Beyond the definition
The humour of someone who has noticed too much to be surprised, but still finds the gap between expectation and reality amusing rather than devastating.
Origin & history
From Old English 'wrīgian' (to twist, to go). A wry expression involves a slight twisting — of the face, of meaning, of expectation.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
A wry smile was her only response to the absurdity of the situation.
He had a wry way of observing that the obvious thing was never done.
Wry humour doesn't announce itself. It lets you find it.
How to use it
This entry uses an adjective. Follow the examples for the nouns it describes and its position in the sentence.
Choose “Wry” when the meaning fits your context: Using or expressing dry, understated humour — often with a slight twist of irony that acknowledges the gap between how things are and how they should be.
Synonyms
ironic, sardonic, dry, droll, understated
Antonyms
earnest, sincere, obvious, broad
Related words
Questions about this word
What does "Wry" mean?
Wry is adjective meaning: Humorously dry or ironic. Using or expressing dry, understated humour — often with a slight twist of irony that acknowledges the gap between how things are and how they should be.
Where does the word "Wry" come from?
From Old English 'wrīgian' (to twist, to go). A wry expression involves a slight twisting — of the face, of meaning, of expectation.