wryly

adv

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.

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.”

   “‘The king is displeased with it, but he has to be patient,’ Chapuys wryly commented.”

2. Of a facial expression, contortedly.

   “It was Joe, who had taken the gloves when the wicket-keeper went on to bowl. Mike grinned, wryly but gratefully.”

   ““Only your Virginie,” she laughed. “Virginie enough,” he smiled wryly. “No, I don’t want her either.””