wry
/rai/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Twisted or bent to one side: Describing something that is contorted or turned away from its natural or straight position.
- Dryly humorous in a way that is ironic, mocking, or sarcastic: Describing humor, wit, or expression that is subtly and cleverly sardonic, often expressing amusement at life's incongruities.
Usage and Examples
- Describing a physical twist or contortion:
- After sleeping in an awkward position, he had a wry neck for two days.
- She made a wry face after tasting the bitter medicine.
- Describing dry, ironic humor or expression:
- He told the story with his characteristic wry wit.
- She gave a wry smile, acknowledging the absurdity of the situation.
Advanced Usage
- "Wryly" (Adverb): In a wry manner.
- "Better late than never," he remarked wryly.
- "Wryness" (Noun): The quality of being wry.
- The novel is appreciated for its subtle wryness and insight.
Variants and Related Words
- A wry neck: A condition where the neck is twisted to one side; torticollis.
- Wrymouth: A type of fish with a twisted mouth.
Synonyms
- Ironic: Using words to convey a meaning opposite to their literal sense.
- Sardonic: Grimly mocking or cynical.
- Dry: Understated and matter-of-fact in a way that is humorous.
- Crooked: Bent or twisted out of shape.
Antonyms
- Straight: Not bent or twisted.
- Sincere: Free from pretense or deceit; genuine.
- Earnest: Resulting from or showing sincere conviction.
Idioms and Phrases
- A wry smile: A smile that expresses ironic or amused feeling, often with a slight twist of the lips.
- He could only offer a wry smile in response to the criticism.
- Wry humor: A type of humor that is dry, ironic, and often self-deprecating.
- Her wry humor made even the most mundane stories entertaining.
Adjective
- bent to one side
- a wry neck
- humorously sarcastic or mocking
- dry humor
- an ironic remark often conveys an intended meaning obliquely
- an ironic novel
- an ironical smile
- with a wry Scottish wit