Dryly

//ˈdɹaɪ.li// adv

adv ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Adverb
  1. 1
    In a dry manner.

    "“Are you going?” said Mr. Chester, rising with a graceful indolence. “Let me light you down the stairs.” “Pray keep your seat,” returned the other dryly, “I know the way.” So, waving his hand slightly, and putting on his hat as he turned upon his heel, he went clanking out as he had come, shut the door behind him, and tramped down the echoing stairs. “Pah! A very coarse animal, indeed!” said Mr. Chester, composing himself in the easy chair again. “A rough brute. Quite a human badger!”"

Adverb
  1. 1
    in a dry laconic manner wordnet

Example

More examples

"The barfly dryly brushes off suitors."

Etymology

From dry + -ly.

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.