dryly
UK: ˈdraɪli | US: ˈdraɪli
adv. in a dry, matter-of-fact, or sarcastic manner
adv. without moisture or emotional expression
The word "dryly" combines the adjective "dry," which traces back to Old English "drȳge" (meaning "free from moisture" or "thirsty"), with the adverbial suffix "-ly," derived from Old English "-līce." Over time, "dry" expanded beyond its literal sense to describe humor or speech that is sharp, understated, or devoid of embellishment. The suffix "-ly" systematically converts adjectives into adverbs, preserving the core meaning while modifying grammatical function.
She commented dryly on the absurdity of the situation.
The professor answered the question dryly, without a hint of enthusiasm.
His jokes were delivered so dryly that some missed the humor entirely.
"Of course it’s raining," he said dryly, glancing at the dark clouds.
The report was written dryly, focusing solely on facts.