dryly
/ˈdraɪli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdraɪli/ (ame, ipa)
dryly — adverb
1. Done with a serious tone or expression to make something amusing — the joke come
Done with a serious tone or expression to make something amusing — the joke comes from the gap between the calm delivery and the clever or surprising words.
When the waiter spilled water on him, Mateo dryly asked if the fish was fresh.
collocation: dryly asked / dryly replied
Putri dryly told her brother that his version of help had doubled the mess.
collocation: dryly told / dryly observed
Noa dryly observed that the team's plan had one problem — it did not actually work.
At the museum, Aaron dryly commented that the painting looked exactly like his cat.
The professor dryly noted that the homework was due yesterday, not today.
- wryly
similar dry humour, but wryly often suggests a slightly twisted or ironic perspective
- sardonically
more bitter and mocking; a harsher form of dry humour
- deadpan
can be used as an adverb too, emphasising a completely blank, expressionless delivery
- excitedly
showing strong emotion instead of holding back for humorous effect
- dramatically
using obvious theatrical emotion rather than a flat, understated delivery
文法句型
dryly + speech verb (said / remarked / observed / replied / asked)
用法筆記
Almost always used with a verb of speech such as say, remark, observe, reply, note, comment, or ask. The speaker's serious delivery is what makes the remark funny.
常見錯誤
2. in a calm, flat, or matter-of-fact way that hides what you are feeling — you say
in a calm, flat, or matter-of-fact way that hides what you are feeling — you say something serious or unpleasant without showing any emotion in your voice or face.
Aylin dryly stated the facts of the case without adding any personal opinion.
adverb + reporting verb: dryly stated / dryly reported
Imran dryly reported the test results, his face revealing nothing at all.
Élise dryly informed the passengers that their flight would be delayed by five hours.
Christopher dryly described the accident scene to the police officer with no emotion.
The nurse dryly read the patient's numbers from the chart without looking up.
- flatly
monotone, without change in pitch or energy
- matter-of-factly
practical and unemotional, treating even serious events as routine
- coldly
emotionless in a way that can feel unfriendly or harsh
- emotionally
showing feelings openly
- warmly
with kindness and positive emotion
文法句型
dryly + reporting verb (stated / reported / informed / described)
用法筆記
Common in formal or professional contexts where someone is expected to stay calm or neutral. Distinguish from sense 1 (DRY HUMOUR): in this sense the speaker is not trying to be funny — they are simply not showing emotion.
常見錯誤
3. Without any water or liquid present — describing a physical condition or an acti
Without any water or liquid present — describing a physical condition or an action done in a dry state.
The freshly washed dishes sat dryly in the rack, waiting to be put away.
literal sense — describing a physical state without moisture
The desert air hung dryly over the camp, parching everyone's lips.
The old wooden fence stood dryly in the sun, cracked by months of heat.
The herbs were stored dryly in a glass jar to keep them from spoiling.
The riverbed lay dryly under the bridge after the long summer drought.
- without moisture
a plain phrase used when dryly sounds too literary
- in a dry state
more common in technical or scientific descriptions
- wetly
with moisture or liquid present; less common as an adverb
文法句型
verb + dryly (wiped / stood / stored)