Word
sarcastic
Phoneticssar·cas·tic, stress on the second syllable
US/sɑɹˈkæstɪk/
UK/sɑːkˈɑːstɪk/
Definitions
01mocking speech
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. using words that mean the opposite of what you really think to make fun of someone or something.
adj. containing or expressing sarcasm; using irony to mock or convey contempt.
“"Oh, great job," he said in a sarcastic voice after I dropped the tray.”
“The critic's review was filled with sarcastic observations about the director's lack of originality and the lead actor's wooden performance.”
Pitfall
He said a sarcastic joke about my hair.
He made a sarcastic comment about my hair.
While 'sarcastic joke' is possible, 'sarcastic comment' or 'sarcastic remark' are much more common collocations.
02personality trait
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. describing a person who often makes jokes that mock others or uses sharp irony.
adj. habitually using sarcasm as a primary mode of communication or humour.
“She is very sarcastic, so it is sometimes hard to tell if she is being serious.”
“Known for his sarcastic wit, the comedian often alienated audience members who were unprepared for his biting social commentary.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology
Either from sarcasm + -astic or from French sarcastique, from French sarcasme, from Late Latin sarcasmus, ultimately from Ancient Greek σαρκασμός (sarkasmós, “sarcasm”), itself from Ancient Greek σάρξ (sárx, literally “meat, flesh”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/sarcastic