wry

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   Showing dry, slightly mocking humour.

   He made a wry comment about the endless meetings.

2. 2
   adj

   Twisted or bent to one side, especially of the face.

   She gave a wry smile and shook her head.

From Middle English wrien, from Old English wrīġian (“to go, turn, twist, bend, strive, struggle, press forward, endeavor, venture”), from Proto-Germanic *wrigōną (“to wriggle”), from Proto-Indo-European *wreyḱ- (“to turn, wrap, tie”), from *wer- (“to turn, bend”). Compare awry, wriggle.

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