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.
Synonyms
ironic, sardonic, dry, droll, understated
Antonyms
earnest, sincere, obvious, broad
Related words
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Adult delivering a clever joke
A close-up of an adult’s face as they deliver a clever, dry joke, a small, subtle smile appearing.
The subtle smile and dry delivery indicate a wry sense of humor. It acknowledges the discrepancy between the person's expectations and reality, using a twist of irony to comment on the situation without needing to explain it fully.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration