dry joke

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dry joke" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a type of humor that is delivered in a matter-of-fact tone, often without any visible emotion or enthusiasm. Example: "His dry joke about the weather left everyone in the room chuckling quietly, appreciating the subtlety of his humor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Sometimes it's a dry joke passed off as catharsis.

The New York Times - Arts

But suddenly here he was, this wonderfully dry joke teller.

The Guardian - Arts

"This is like a perfectly dry joke," Affleck said, after we arrived.

The New York Times - Magazine

Many polite Americans do, too, confused and dazzled by the occasional slurred anti-Semitic jab or incomprehensible "dry" joke.

The New Yorker

RM: Hammond has a reputation for being dull but this seemed to be an attempt at a dry joke.

The Guardian

The exceedingly dry joke is that it is not a small table but a small amount of what might be called tableness.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

He told a few dry jokes.

The New York Times

He also cracked a few dry jokes.

The New York Times - Arts

The Staal brother act rolled on Thursday, adding a little history to the dry jokes that have punctuated the siblings' emergence onto the N.H.L. scene.

The New York Times - Sports

Although he has pronounced on none of the big questions, he has chosen to tweet a few dry jokes at the UK's expense, including a picture of himself standing outside the Museum of Broken Relationships in Zagreb.

The Guardian

"He is the strong man of his party — full of wit, facts, dates — and the best stump speaker, with his droll ways and dry jokes, in the West," Douglas told a supporter.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "dry joke", ensure the context clearly indicates the humor is subtle and understated. This will help avoid misinterpretations, especially with audiences unfamiliar with this type of humor.

Common error

Avoid using "dry joke" to describe humor that is simply unfunny or poorly delivered. "Dry joke" implies a deliberate and subtle comedic style, not a lack of humor altogether.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dry joke" functions as a noun phrase that describes a specific type of joke. It modifies the noun 'joke' with the adjective 'dry', indicating a style of humor that is understated, subtle, and often delivered without overt emotion, according to Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Arts

30%

General

15%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dry joke" describes a form of humor characterized by its understated and subtle delivery. It is considered grammatically correct and is commonly used, particularly in news and media contexts. Related terms include "deadpan humor" and "understated humor". According to Ludwig, the phrase is used to classify a joke based on its style, conveying that it relies on subtlety rather than overt humor. It is essential to distinguish a "dry joke" from one that is simply unfunny. It often appears in neutral registers and has a good distribution in authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deadpan humor

Focuses on the delivery style being expressionless.

understated humor

Highlights the subtle and not overtly expressive nature of the humor.

dry wit

Highlights clever and subtly humorous remarks.

sarcastic remark

Indicates humor tinged with irony or cynicism.

wry observation

Emphasizes a clever and often ironic twist on a comment.

unsmiling jest

Focuses on the humor delivered without a smile.

subtle jest

Highlights the delicate and not immediately obvious nature of the joke.

ironic quip

Implies humor based on a contrast between what is said and what is meant.

laconic humor

Emphasizes the brief and concise nature of the humor.

acerbic humor

Highlights humor that is sharp and biting.

FAQs

What does the term "dry joke" mean?

A "dry joke" refers to a joke delivered in a deadpan or understated manner, often without any visible emotion or enthusiasm. It relies on subtlety and irony rather than overt silliness.

What are some alternative ways to describe "dry joke"?

You can use alternatives like "deadpan humor", "understated humor", or "dry wit" to describe a similar type of humor.

How do you identify a "dry joke"?

A "dry joke" is often characterized by its delivery. The speaker may not smile or show any signs of amusement while delivering the punchline, making it easy to miss if you aren't paying attention. Context clues and understanding the speaker's usual style can help.

Is "dry joke" the same as sarcasm?

While there can be overlap, "dry joke" isn't necessarily sarcasm. Sarcasm often involves irony and a critical or mocking tone. A "dry joke" can be simply understated and subtle, without the need for any underlying criticism.