wry

verb

ˈrī 

wried; wrying

intransitive verb

: twist, writhe

transitive verb

: to pull out of or as if out of proper shape : make awry

Word History

Etymology

Middle English wrien, from Old English wrigian to turn; akin to Middle High German rigel kerchief wound around the head, Greek rhiknos shriveled, Avestan urvisyeiti he turns

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for wry

• ai
• aye
• bae
• bi
• buy
• by
• bye
• chai
• chi
• cry
• die
• dry

Kids Definition

wry

adjective

ˈrī

wryer

ˈrī(-ə)r

; wryest

ˈrī-əst

1

: bent, twisted, or turned usually abnormally to one side

a wry nose

2

a

: expressing irony

a wry smile

b

: cleverly humorous

a wry remark

wryly adverb

wryness noun