sarcastic
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
using words that mean the opposite of what you really think to make fun of someone or something.
containing or expressing sarcasm; using irony to mock or convey contempt.
Simple“"Oh, great job," he said in a sarcastic voice after I dropped the tray.”
In context“The critic's review was filled with sarcastic observations about the director's lack of originality and the lead actor's wooden performance.”
PitfallHe 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.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
describing a person who often makes jokes that mock others or uses sharp irony.
habitually using sarcasm as a primary mode of communication or humour.
Simple“She is very sarcastic, so it is sometimes hard to tell if she is being serious.”
In context“Known for his sarcastic wit, the comedian often alienated audience members who were unprepared for his biting social commentary.”
SynonymssnarkycynicalAntonyms
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.