wry
UK: raɪ | US: raɪ
adj. twisted or bent to one side
adj. dryly humorous; mocking
v. to twist or contort (often used reflexively, e.g., "wry one's mouth")
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"Wry" traces back to Old English wrīgian, meaning "to turn, twist, or bend." It shares roots with Middle Low German wrīch (twisted) and Old Norse rīga (to twist). The word evolved from literal physical twisting (e.g., a wry neck) to figurative uses, such as humor that "turns" expectations ironically. Its compact Germanic structure resists further morpheme division.
She gave a wry smile when she heard the ironic compliment.
His wry sense of humor often left people unsure whether to laugh or sigh.
The tree grew wry after years of enduring strong coastal winds.
He wryed his lips in disapproval but said nothing.
The politician’s wry remark about the debate went viral.