wry

1 of 2

verb

ˈrī 

wried; wrying

intransitive verb

: twist, writhe

transitive verb

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

wry

2 of 2

adjective

wryer ˈrī(-ə)r  ; wryest ˈrī-əst 

1

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

a wry nose

2

: made by a deliberate distortion of the facial muscles often to express irony or mockery

a wry smile

3

: wrongheaded sense 1

4

: cleverly and often ironically or grimly humorous

a wry wit

wryly

ˈrī-lē 

adverb

wryness noun

Examples of wry in a Sentence

Adjective

His books are noted for their wry humor.

When I asked her how she felt after winning the race, she gave me a wry smile and said, “Pretty tired.”

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Last week, Congress held a hearing filled with mockery and wry humor about the controversy. —Nick Penzenstadler, USA TODAY, 30 May 2023

Now, at least outwardly, Felker effuses positivity and displays wry humor onstage. —Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 3 May 2023

That can have the effect of Trump impersonator Sarah Cooper delivering a cartoon TikTok; the humor largely comes from attaching Trump’s utterances to wry new visuals. —Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2020

Adjective

His second album for DeMarco’s Mac’s Record Label, Sweet Dreamin’, is a breezy, nine-song, 24-minute delight led by Crick’s charming piano melodies and wry interpersonal narratives. —Jonathan Cohen, SPIN, 13 Oct. 2023

The setup is familiar, but the film is wry, vivid and moving in unexpected ways — a testament to Jacobs’ singular touch, his gently eccentric blend of comic absurdism and emotional generosity. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Sep. 2023

That, in fact, is what makes this deceptively placid, supremely wry movie so damned moving. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 1 Sep. 2023

Its tone is wry, almost weary, as if KC is older than her 38 years. —Maggie Doherty, The New Republic, 16 June 2023

There’s also wry humor to be found in the Hitchcockian mommy issues that would reach their famous crescendo in Psycho. —Chris Vognar, Chron, 19 Apr. 2023

The jokes were wry and nihilistic, disguising a heartfelt earnestness at the story’s core. —Travis M. Andrews, Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2023

The hallmarks of a National song — wry, affective lyrics; earthquake-proof song structures; painterly arrangements — seem tailor-built to sound more graceful with age. —Clayton Purdom, Rolling Stone, 26 Apr. 2023

Wet Leg’s general bearing is wry, playful and focused on pleasure. —Wsj Arts, WSJ, 6 Feb. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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