Meaning & use
sarky
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Meanings
adjectivecomparableinformalBritish
Using sharp, mocking humor to show irritation or to make fun of someone in a slightly unkind way.
Grammar: Used before a noun or after linking verbs: a sarky comment; he sounded sarky.
Patterns
- a sarky comment
- sound sarky
- get sarky with someone
He made a sarky remark about my new haircut, and everyone laughed.
Don't get sarky with me — I'm only trying to help.
She can be quite sarky when she's tired.
adjectivecomparableinformalBritish
Typical of someone who uses mocking humor often.
Grammar: Describes a person's manner or tone; less common than the first sense.
Patterns
- a sarky tone
- a sarky sense of humor
I like his sarky sense of humor, but some people find it rude.
There was a sarky edge to her voice that I didn't like.
Word forms
| comparative | sarkier |
|---|---|
| superlative | sarkiest |
Common combinations
- sarky comment
- He kept making sarky comments during the meeting.
- sarky remark
- Her sarky remark about his cooking made him blush.
- get sarky
- Don't get sarky with me — just answer the question.
- sarky tone
- I could hear the sarky tone in his voice.
Synonyms and how they differ
- sarcastic
- The standard word in both British and American English; sarky is more informal and mostly British.
- mocking
- Focuses on making fun of someone; sarky often adds a sharper, irritated edge.
- snide
- Describes a nasty, indirect remark; sarky can be playful, while snide is usually meaner.
Opposites
Word family
- sarkily adverb
- In a sarky manner; rarely used.
Commonly confused: sarky or sarcastic?
sarky vs sarcastic
Sarcastic is the standard, neutral word; sarky is informal and mainly British. Use sarcastic in formal writing.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'sarky' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Sarky is an adjective, so it describes a noun like 'answer'. The other options use it as a verb or noun, which is wrong.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “sarky”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.