sarcastic
gb/sɑɹkˈæstɪk/ us/sɑɹkˈæstɪk/
B2
English
~ 9900
szarkasztikus, gúnyos
B2
1
gúnyos
B2
Usage pattern:
sarcastic [comment/remark/tone]
Her sarcastic comment about my cooking made the whole table go quiet.
A főztömről tett szarkasztikus megjegyzése után az egész asztal elhallgatott.
He gave a sarcastic reply, saying, "Oh sure, because that worked so well last time."
Szarkasztikus választ adott: „Ja persze, mert ez legutóbb is olyan jól működött.”
I could hear the sarcastic tone in his voice when he said I was "doing a great job."
With a sarcastic smile, she said, "What a fantastic idea," and rolled her eyes.
The email was full of sarcastic remarks that made the boss very angry.
Learner examples
He made a sarcastic comment about my new haircut.
Szarkasztikus megjegyzést tett az új frizurámra.
She answered in a sarcastic voice and did not look at me.
Szarkasztikus hangon válaszolt, és nem nézett rám.
I do not like his sarcastic tone when I make a mistake.
The teacher gave a sarcastic reply when the student was late again.
People sometimes use sarcastic jokes when they are upset.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "sarcastic" with simply "funny" or "ironic." Sarcastic speech usually has a negative or hurtful feeling, even if people are joking. Also, "sarcastic" is not used for situations, like "a sarcastic accident"; it is used for speech, comments, tone, or behavior. Another confusion is with "ironic" meaning an unexpected or opposite situation in reality ("It was ironic that..."); "sarcastic" is about how people speak.
Meaning
using irony to mock or hurt
Collocations
sarcastic comment
|sarcastic remark
|sarcastic tone
|sarcastic voice
|sarcastic reply
|sarcastic smile
Synonyms
ironic (Often softer and can be simply humorous or clever, not always intended to hurt.)
|
mocking (Stresses open, sometimes cruel, laughter or teasing; not limited to using the opposite meaning of words.)
|
snide (Suggests a nasty, indirect remark meant to hurt someone's feelings or reputation.)
|
cutting (Emphasizes how deeply the words can hurt, like being cut.)
Antonyms
sincere (Words that directly show what the speaker really feels, with no hidden attack.)
|
earnest (Serious and honest in what is said, without trying to mock or belittle.)
Themes
communication
|emotions
|social_interaction
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Using words that sound nice or normal, but really mean the opposite, to make fun of someone or show you do not respect something.
Using words that are the opposite of what you really mean in order to mock, hurt, or show strong disapproval.
B2
2
gúnyos
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone] is sarcastic about [something]
People think he's funny, but his friends know how sarcastic he can be.
Az emberek szerint vicces, de a barátai tudják, milyen szarkasztikus tud lenni.
She's so sarcastic that it's hard to tell when she's being serious.
Annyira szarkasztikus, hogy nehéz megmondani, mikor beszél komolyan.
I used to be very sarcastic, but I try to be nicer with my words now.
At first he just seemed quiet, but after a while his sarcastic side came out.
My brother is sarcastic about almost everything, especially school and politics.
Learner examples
My boss is very sarcastic, and it hurts my feelings.
A főnököm nagyon szarkasztikus, és ez rosszul esik.
She is usually sarcastic when she talks about her job.
Általában szarkasztikus, amikor a munkájáról beszél.
He sounds sarcastic even when he says something nice.
I do not like sarcastic people because I cannot trust their words.
Sometimes I am sarcastic, but I do not want to be mean.
Common mistake:
Learners may say "he is a sarcastic" instead of "he is sarcastic" or "he is a sarcastic person." "Sarcastic" is usually an adjective before a noun ("a sarcastic person") or after "be" ("she is sarcastic"). Another mistake is using "sarcastic" to describe only one joke when they actually want to describe someone's general character; in that case it is more natural to say "He is sarcastic" or "She has a sarcastic sense of humor."
Meaning
often speaking in a sarcastic way
Collocations
a sarcastic person
|sound sarcastic
|seem sarcastic
|naturally sarcastic
|come across as sarcastic
|sarcastic sense of humor
Synonyms
snarky (Informal; suggests being clever but mean or negative in comments.)
|
sardonic (More formal/literary; suggests a dark, bitter, or cynical style of humor.)
|
sharp-tongued (Describes someone whose words are quick and often hurtful, not always ironic.)
Antonyms
kind (Focuses on a gentle, caring way of speaking, the opposite of biting sarcasm.)
|
straightforward (Describes someone who says what they mean directly, without hidden mockery.)
Themes
personality
|emotions
|social_interaction
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Describing someone who often uses sarcastic words and jokes, usually to make fun of people or things.
Describing a person who regularly speaks in a sarcastic way, often making sharp or unkind jokes about others.
Grammar
Dictionary form
sarcastic
IPA
GB/sɑɹkˈæstɪk/
US/sɑɹkˈæstɪk/
Syllables & stress
sar - cast - ic (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (cast)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: sarcastic
Word family
Core family
sarcasm
noun B2
sarcastically
adverb B1
Negative and opposite forms
sincere
adjective B1
Expressions
a sarcastic comment
1/ə sɑɹkˈæstɪk kˈɑmɛnt/
fixed phrase
remark that is sarcastic
A short piece of speech or writing that uses sarcasm to make fun of something.
Examples
- She made a sarcastic comment about his new haircut.
- One sarcastic comment from the teacher was enough to quiet the class.
a sarcastic remark
1/ə sɑɹkˈæstɪk ɹɪmˈɑɹk/
fixed phrase
short spoken sarcastic statement
A short sentence someone says that uses sarcasm, often to criticize or joke.
Examples
- He couldn't resist making a sarcastic remark about the traffic.
- Her sarcastic remark ended the meeting on a tense note.
a sarcastic tone
1/ə sɑɹkˈæstɪk tˈoʊn/
fixed phrase
way of speaking that is sarcastic
A way of speaking that clearly sounds sarcastic, even if the words are simple.
Examples
- I didn't like the sarcastic tone he used when he said my name.
- Her sarcastic tone made the compliment feel like an insult.
be sarcastic
1/bˈi sɑɹkˈæstɪk/
fixed phrase
speak in a sarcastic way
To talk in a way that uses the opposite meaning of words to make fun of something or someone.
Examples
- You don't have to be sarcastic; just tell me what you really think.
- He was clearly being sarcastic when he said the test was "super easy."
in a sarcastic voice
1/ˈɪn ə sɑɹkˈæstɪk vˈɔɪs/
fixed phrase
speaking with a sarcastic-sounding voice
Speaking so that your voice clearly shows you are being sarcastic.
Examples
- "Nice job," he said in a sarcastic voice after I dropped the plates.
- She repeated my words back to me in a sarcastic voice.
just being sarcastic
1/d͡ʒˈʌst bˈiɪŋ sɑɹkˈæstɪk/
fixed phrase
informal
saying a remark was only sarcasm
Used to explain that something you said before was only sarcasm and not serious.
Examples
- "Relax, I'm just being sarcastic," he said when she looked offended.
- She laughed and added that she was just being sarcastic about quitting her job.
sound sarcastic
1/sˈaʊnd sɑɹkˈæstɪk/
fixed phrase
seem sarcastic when speaking
To seem like you are being sarcastic because of the way your words or voice feel to the listener.
Examples
- I'm not trying to sound sarcastic; I'm actually impressed.
- Be careful, that email might sound sarcastic even if you don't mean it.
stop being sarcastic
1/stˈɑp bˈiɪŋ sɑɹkˈæstɪk/
fixed phrase
informal
tell someone not to be sarcastic
To tell someone to stop using sarcastic words or jokes.
Examples
- Can you please stop being sarcastic and give me a serious answer?
- His mom told him to stop being sarcastic in front of the guests.