Sarcasm

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈsɑːkæzÉ™m/

Origin

From Late Latin sarcasmus, from Ancient Greek σαρκασμός (sarkasmos, "a sneer"), from σαρκάζειν ("gnash the teeth (in anger), literally, to strip off the flesh"), from σάρξ (sarks, "flesh").

Full definition of sarcasm

Noun

1. (uncountable) A form of humor that is marked by mocking with irony, sometimes conveyed in speech with vocal over-emphasis. Insincerely saying something which is the opposite of one's intended meaning, often to emphasize how unbelievable or unlikely it sounds if taken literally, thereby illustrating the obvious nature of one's intended meaning.
   Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit.
• 1898, Winston Churchill, The Celebrity Chapter 5, Although the Celebrity was almost impervious to sarcasm, he was now beginning to exhibit visible signs of uneasiness, the consciousness dawning upon him that his eccentricity was not receiving the ovation it merited.
2. (countable) An act of sarcasm.

Synonyms

• (uncountable) derision, facetiousness, irony, ridicule, satire
• (countable) taunt, gibe

Derived terms

• sarcastic