transitive verb, intransitive verb wried, wrying wry′·ing

Etymology: 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 wri′er or wryer wry′·er, wriest wri′·est or wryest wry′·est

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