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wry — using or expressing dry, especially mocking, humor

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: using or expressing dry, especially mocking, humor

Pronunciation (IPA): /raɪ/

Example Sentences

  • He made a wry joke about his cooking skills after burning dinner for the third time this week.
  • The comedian's wry observations about modern life had the audience laughing and thinking at the same time.
  • With wry amusement, she watched her cat ignore the expensive toy and play with the cardboard box instead.

wry

ADJECTIVE

[/raɪ/]

using or expressing dry, especially mocking, humor

using or expressing dry, especially mocking, humor
💡 Concept

using or expressing dry, especially mocking, humor

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/raɪ/
🇬🇧 UK/raɪ/

🌳Etymology

Rootwry

Origin

From Middle English 'wry' or 'wrie', derived from Old English 'wrīgian' meaning 'to turn' or 'to twist'. The word originally referred to something physically twisted or bent, and later evolved to describe twisted or ironic humor.

Breakdown

wry (from Old English wrīgian meaning 'to turn/twist') - a simple, non-compound word where the physical sense of 'twisted' metaphorically extended to mean 'twisted humor' or 'ironic'

🎵Rhyme

dry
try
fly
shy
cry

🔗Collocations

wry smile
wry humor
wry expression
wry comment
wry observation
wry twist

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“He made a wry joke about his cooking skills after burning dinner for the third time this week.”

“The comedian's wry observations about modern life had the audience laughing and thinking at the same time.”

😄 Fun example

“With wry amusement, she watched her cat ignore the expensive toy and play with the cardboard box instead.”

📚Related Words

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