Dictionary

wryly en · ADV

Pronunciation

• (Southern-England) audio
• /ˈɹaɪli/

Etymology

Etymology tree English wry Proto-Indo-European *leyg-der. Proto-Germanic *līkąder. Proto-Germanic *-līkaz Proto-Germanic *-ê Proto-Germanic *-līkê Proto-West Germanic *-līkē Old English -līċe Middle English -ly English -ly English wryly From wry + -ly.

Meanings

1. In a wry or sarcastic manner; ironically.
   • The sins of the father, she thought wryly. Well, they had visited Tony, all right—only he didn't know it. 1966, Jacqueline Susann, Valley of the Dolls, Grove Press, published 1997, page 206:
   • A Ukrainian presidential adviser wrote that Kyiv had nothing to do with the attacks but then wryly compared them to Russia’s past use of proxy forces to fight in Ukraine. 2023 May 22, Andrew Roth, “Anti-Putin militia claims to have overrun Russian border village”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:
   • ‘The king is displeased with it, but he has to be patient,’ Chapuys wryly commented. 1991, Alison Weir, The Six Wives of Henry VIII, Grove Press, published 2000, page 219:
2. Of a facial expression, contortedly.
   • Rachel smiled wryly at Bryan, clearly showing her discomfort after being dragged into an unwanted interaction with him.
   • “Only your Virginie,” she laughed. “Virginie enough,” he smiled wryly. “No, I don’t want her either.” 1920 November 9, D[avid] H[erbert] Lawrence, Women in Love, New York, N.Y.: Privately printed [by Thomas Seltzer] for subscribers only, →OCLC:
   • Croton smiled wryly but his cold eyes showed what he really thought of the captain's pyrotechnics. 1970, Wally Ferris, Across 110th, page 50:
   • It was Joe, who had taken the gloves when the wicket-keeper went on to bowl. Mike grinned, wryly but gratefully. 1909, P. G. Wodehouse, Mike:

Forms