wry
Wry (adjective) means Dryly humorous, often in a way that shows you know a situation is awkward or difficult; ironic. Example: “She gave a wry smile when the waiter tripped over her own joke about clumsy service.”
How to use wry
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA wry remark or smile is dry, ironic, and a bit knowing — humor that pokes at something without being loud about it.
Don't confuse "wry" with "rye" (the grain/bread) — they sound identical but are unrelated.
Word forms
wrier comparative, wryer comparative, wried past tense, wried past tense, wries singular, wries singular, wriest superlative, wryest superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She gave a _____ smile when the waiter tripped over her own joke about clumsy service.
Etymology
From Old English wrīgian, "to turn or twist," related to the word wriggle — the sense drifted from a literally twisted face to a twisted, ironic sense of humor.
Frequently asked questions
What does “wry” mean?
The word “wry” means dryly humorous, often in a way that shows you know a situation is awkward or difficult; ironic. In plain terms, a wry remark or smile is dry, ironic, and a bit knowing — humor that pokes at something without being loud about it.
How do you pronounce “wry”?
“Wry” is pronounced reye (/ɹaɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “wry” in a sentence?
Here is “wry” used in a sentence: “She gave a wry smile when the waiter tripped over her own joke about clumsy service.”
What part of speech is “wry”?
“Wry” is an adjective.
Where does the word “wry” come from?
The word “wry” comes from Old English. From Old English wrīgian, "to turn or twist," related to the word wriggle — the sense drifted from a literally twisted face to a twisted, ironic sense of humor.
How many meanings does “wry” have?
“Wry” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: dryly humorous, often in a way that shows you know a situation is awkward or difficult; ironic.
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