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Glite Dictionary
drolly

drolly

1 6.9
In a funny, slightly odd way that makes people smile
  • adverb
  • /ˈdroʊli/
translation icon : de manera divertida
  • "Well," he observed drolly, "now foreign correspondents can come and ask questions."
  • says drolly

Examples

  • "Hope you got something to drink in that bag," he said drolly, folding the newspaper and reaching for his briefcase.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • "Act one," he drolly announced.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • "That was your first mistake," she said drolly, the humor still in her voice.

    Blog text (26)

  • Hank watches her a moment, then says drolly: HANK

    Fiction book (1990)

  • "That was your first mistake," she said drolly, the humor still in her voice.

  • "I came out here for the storage space," he says drolly.

Synonyms

dryly
vsdrolly
18 6.1

In a calm, serious way that seems slightly funny

is more whimsical and odd rather than emotionless wit
wryly
vsdrolly
12 7.0

In a dry, slightly mocking way

is gentler and whimsical rather than ironic or mocking
amusingly
vsdrolly
5 3.0

In a funny way that makes people laugh

adds odd, whimsical twist beyond simple entertainment
humorously
vsdrolly
5 3.3

In a funny way that makes people laugh

leans toward odd, subtle wit rather than plain entertainment
drily
vsdrolly
1 7.2

In a quiet, serious way that shows you are joking or being sarcastic

is odd and whimsical rather than cold irony
wittily
vsdrolly
1 6.1

In a quick, clever way that makes people laugh

is odd and whimsical rather than only clever wordplay
roguishly
vsdrolly
1 7.3

In a playful way that breaks small rules to make people laugh

is more gently odd and whimsical, not mischievous
jocularly
vsdrolly
1 7.1

In a joking way to make people laugh

is subtler and odd instead of plain joking
waggishly
vsdrolly
  • Literature
7.7

In a playful joking way to make people laugh

is more oddly whimsical rather than just playful teasing

Antonyms

seriously
∞ 1.6

In a way that shows you mean what you say

soberly
8 4.2

In a serious, calm way that does not show excitement

How Amusing

hilariously
  • Informal
12 2.5
whimsically
3 5.7
drolly
1 6.9
wryly
12 7.0
dryly
18 6.1

Surface Forms

drolly positive

Morphology

drolly = droll (transparent) = droll + ly

Standard adjectival + -ly derivation; the adverbial meaning is directly predictable from 'droll'.

Etymology

Drolly comes from the English word droll, which in turn comes from French drôle meaning 'joker' or 'odd person'. So to speak drolly is to speak in a lightly funny, slightly odd way.