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wry

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The definition of wry is a mocking, biting or sarcastic sort of humor, or an unpleasant facial expression used to indicate displeasure.

(adjective)

An example of wry humor is a sarcastic joke.
An example of a wry expression is when you wrinkle up your face when you taste something you dislike.

See wry in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb, intransitive verb wried, wrying

to writhe or twist

Origin: ME wrien, to twist, bend < OE wrigian, to turn, twist, akin to OFris wrigia, to bend, stoop < IE *wreik- (> L rica, head veil) < base *wer-, to turn, bend

adjective wrier or wryer, wriest or wryest

Archaic turned or bent to one side; twisted
made by twisting or distorting the features: a wry face
Rare distorted, as in meaning
dry, ironic, sardonic, etc.: wry humor

Related Forms:

wryly adverb
wryness noun

See wry in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective wri·er (rīˈər) or wry·er, wri·est (rīˈĭst) or wry·est

Dryly humorous, often with a touch of irony.
Temporarily twisted in an expression of distaste or displeasure: made a wry face.
Abnormally twisted or bent to one side; crooked: a wry nose.
Being at variance with what is right, proper, or suitable; perverse.

Origin:

Origin: From Middle English wrien, to turn

Origin: , from Old English wrīgian; see wer-² in Indo-European roots

Related Forms: