# wry

**Pronunciation:** /ˈraɪ/ · RY

**CEFR level:** B2

**Part of speech:** adjective

## Meaning

A wry sense of humor or a wry expression involves a slightly bitter or ironic tone, often with a twist of amusement or sarcasm.

## Examples

- Her wry comment about the situation caught everyone off guard.
- The writer's wry humor permeated the entire novel, making it a delightful read.
- He raised an eyebrow in a wry gesture, implying he didn't believe what was being said.

## Synonyms

- lacking emotion or humor
- involving a contrast between what is expected and what occurs
- involving a mocking or contemptuous tone
- not meant to be taken literally
- having a sharp or sour tone

## Antonyms

- lacking humor or irony
- lacking subtlety or complexity

## Common patterns

- wry humor — a sense of humor that involves irony or sarcasm — The comedian's wry humor had the audience laughing.
- wry observation — a comment or remark that is ironic or sarcastic — Her wry observation about the situation caught everyone off guard.

## Collocations

- wry smile — He gave a wry smile, implying he didn't believe what was being said.
- wry comment — She made a wry comment about the situation, which caught everyone off guard.

Canonical URL: https://anaversity.com/dictionary/english/wry

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