English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
Login Flashcards
noun C1 Advanced Uncommon

sarcasm

SAH-ka-zuhm
Quiz me More like this

Sarcasm (noun) means a sharp, mocking way of speaking where the speaker means the opposite of what they say, usually to criticize or belittle. Example: “Oh, brilliant plan," he said, dripping with sarcasm.”

noun
1
A sharp, mocking way of speaking where the speaker means the opposite of what they say, usually to criticize or belittle.
""Oh, brilliant plan," he said, dripping with sarcasm."
"Her sarcasm made it hard to tell if she was joking or genuinely annoyed."
""Well, that went splendidly," she said with heavy sarcasm after the cake collapsed."

How to use sarcasm

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSaying something in a way that clearly means the opposite, usually to mock or criticize.

Common mistake

Sarcasm relies on tone or context to signal the opposite meaning — without that cue (e.g. in text messages) it can easily be misread as sincere.

Easily confused with
irony → satire →
Common pairings
dripping with sarcasm laced with sarcasm a hint of sarcasm
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like sarcasm.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice

Word forms

Plural
sarcasms
Test yourself on “sarcasm” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

"Oh, brilliant plan," he said, dripping with _____.

Etymology

From Late Latin "sarcasmus," from Greek "sarkasmos" ("a sneer"), literally "to strip off the flesh" — from "sarx," meaning flesh.

Origin: Late Latin

Synonyms

View more →
snark mockery cutting remark sardonic wit needling backhanded comment derision facetiousness irony ridicule satire taunt

Antonyms

compliment

Related words

joke ridiculous praise insult needle compliment irony mock

Frequently asked questions

What does “sarcasm” mean?
The word “sarcasm” means a sharp, mocking way of speaking where the speaker means the opposite of what they say, usually to criticize or belittle. In plain terms, saying something in a way that clearly means the opposite, usually to mock or criticize.
How do you pronounce “sarcasm”?
“Sarcasm” is pronounced SAH-ka-zuhm (/ˈsɑːɹˌkæzəm/ in IPA).
How do you use “sarcasm” in a sentence?
Here is “sarcasm” used in a sentence: “"Oh, brilliant plan," he said, dripping with sarcasm.”
What is another word for “sarcasm”?
Words with a similar meaning to “sarcasm” include derision, facetiousness, irony, ridicule, satire and taunt.
What part of speech is “sarcasm”?
“Sarcasm” is a noun.
Where does the word “sarcasm” come from?
The word “sarcasm” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin "sarcasmus," from Greek "sarkasmos" ("a sneer"), literally "to strip off the flesh" — from "sarx," meaning flesh.
Is “sarcasm” a common word?
“Sarcasm” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
What is the difference between sarcasm and irony?
Sarcasm is a sharp, mocking way of speaking where the speaker deliberately means the opposite of what they say, usually to criticize or belittle someone. Irony is a broader concept covering any gap between expectation and reality, and not all irony is intended to mock or hurt, unlike sarcasm.
Is sarcasm considered rude or impolite?
Sarcasm can come across as rude because it typically criticizes or belittles its target by saying the opposite of what is meant. Whether it lands as playful or hurtful often depends on tone, relationship, and context between speakers.
How can you tell sarcasm apart from a sincere statement in writing?
Sarcasm in writing is harder to detect than in speech because it usually relies on tone of voice, which text lacks, so writers often signal it through exaggeration, context, or punctuation like italics or quotation marks. Without such cues, sarcastic statements can be misread as sincere.

Featured in

Vocabulary lists that include sarcasm:

Words that end with M

People also searched

joke ridiculous praise insult needle compliment irony mock