wry
/raɪ/ (bre, ipa) · [rˈaɪ] /raɪ/ (ame, ipa) · [rˈaɪ] /ˈrī How to pronounce wry (audio)/ (ame, mw)
wry — adjective
- wrypositive
- wriercomparative
- wriestsuperlative
1. showing that you can see the humour in something awkward, disappointing, or mild
showing that you can see the humour in something awkward, disappointing, or mildly annoying, without reacting in a loud or cheerful way.
Roya gave a wry smile when the bus splashed rainwater over her new shoes.
collocation: wry smile
Kabir made a wry comment about the power cut as everyone sat in the dark.
collocation: wry comment
With a wry laugh, Eri admitted that her careful plan had failed by noon.
The coach looked wry as the team missed the same easy shot again.
Beatrix's wry reply made the tense meeting feel a little lighter.
- earnest
serious and sincere, with no ironic distance
- straightforward
plain and direct, without a dry or ironic edge
文法句型
wry smile/comment/laugh/reply
look/seem wry
用法筆記
Often used for smiles, comments, laughs, and brief reactions when someone notices the irony in an unpleasant or embarrassing situation. Distinguish from 'funny' or 'playful' humour: this sense stays restrained and slightly sharp.
常見錯誤
2. bent or pulled a little to one side so that it does not sit straight.
bent or pulled a little to one side so that it does not sit straight.
After the storm, the garden gate hung wry on one broken hinge.
pattern: hang wry
Ignacio noticed the picture frame sat slightly wry above the sofa.
pattern: sit wry
A wry fence post leaned toward the ditch after the truck hit it.
The old sign looked wry, with one corner pointing down toward the road.
文法句型
hang/sit/lean/look wry
wry gate/frame/sign/post
用法筆記
This physical sense is now rare and mostly appears in descriptive writing. It often follows verbs like 'hang', 'sit', 'lean', or 'look' when something is visibly out of line.
常見錯誤
wry — verb
- wrypresent simple I / you / we / they
- wries3rd person singular
- wrying-ing form
- wriedpast simple
1. to twist or move in a turning way, especially because something is caught, hurt,
to twist or move in a turning way, especially because something is caught, hurt, or under strain.
The trapped eel wried in the bucket while Tuan searched for a cloth.
pattern: wried in + place
After the thorn caught its wing, the small bird wried on the ground.
In the old story, the wounded snake wried through the dust beside the fire.
The rope wried around the pole as the wind grew stronger.
- lie still
to remain motionless instead of twisting about
文法句型
wry in/on/through + place
wry around + object
用法筆記
This verb is rare and feels literary or old-fashioned in modern English. It usually describes something twisting because of pain, pressure, or being caught, rather than a deliberate action.
常見錯誤
2. to pull or bend something out of its proper shape or position so that it no long
to pull or bend something out of its proper shape or position so that it no longer sits straight.
The heavy crate wried the thin shelf and left the frame uneven.
pattern: wried + object
Years of rain had wried the wooden door, so it would not close.
damage from long pressure or weather
The crash wried the front wheel and made the bicycle shake.
Too much heat can wry the plastic lid and loosen its seal.
- straighten
to make something line up properly again
- align
to put something back into the correct position
文法句型
wry + object
wry + object + out of line/shape
用法筆記
Also rare and old-fashioned. It is mainly used for physical damage or strain that leaves something crooked or badly aligned; modern English usually prefers 'warp', 'twist', or 'bend out of shape'.