Wry definition
(archaic) Abnormally twisted or bent to one side; crooked.
A wry nose.
adjective
(archaic) Turned or bent to one side; twisted.
adjective
Temporarily twisted in an expression of distaste or displeasure.
Made a wry face.
adjective
To writhe or twist.
verb
Funny in an understated, sarcastic, or ironic way.
A wry sense of humor.
adjective
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Made by twisting or distorting the features.
A wry face.
adjective
(rare) Distorted, as in meaning.
adjective
Dry, ironic, sardonic, etc.
Wry humor.
adjective
The definition of wry is a mocking, biting or sarcastic sort of humor, or an unpleasant facial expression used to indicate displeasure.
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.
adjective
Deviating from the right direction; misdirected; out of place.
adjective
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Other Word Forms
Adjective
Base Form:
wry
Comparative:
wrier
Superlative:
wriestOrigin of wry
- From Middle English wrien to turn from Old English wrīgian wer-2 in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
- From Middle English wrien, from Old English wrīġian (“to go, turn, twist, bend, strive, struggle, press forward, endeavor, venture"), from Proto-Germanic *wrigōnÄ… (“to wriggle"), from Proto-Indo-European *wreiḱ- (“to turn, wrap, tie"), from Proto-Indo-European *wer- (“to turn, bend"). Compare awry, wriggle.
From Wiktionary
- From Middle English wryen, wrien, wreon, wrihen, from Old English wrÄ“on (“to cover, clothe, envelop, conceal, hide, protect, defend"), from Proto-Germanic *wrÄ«hanÄ… (“to wrap, cover"), from Proto-Indo-European *wreiḱ- (“to turn, wrap, tie"), from Proto-Indo-European *wer- (“to turn, bend").
From Wiktionary