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DictionaryRoot: -ic
English

-ic

connected with or characteristic of

Forms

  • -ic

Origin

Through French and Latin -icus from Greek -ikos.

Note

It can indicate a field, a material, a resemblance, or a tendency; it has no single literal meaning in every word.

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adjective

sarcastic

sar-KAS-tik/sɑːrˈkæstɪk/

Using irony to mock or show contempt.

His sarcastic thumbs-up mocks the collapsed cake.

A young man gives an exaggerated, visibly insincere thumbs-up toward a collapsed cake, his crooked smirk and raised eyebrow making the mock praise clear.
Etymology
sarcastEnglishbiting mockery
+icEnglishconnected with or characteristic of

Sarcasm originally described a biting taunt, so sarcastic characterizes language that cuts through mockery. The adjective's formation may have been modeled on enthusiastic.

In context

Bangers & Mosh Podcast61:26
And so, it's in a way sarcastic. Learn to love the lie. You'll be happy. You'll be better off.
The Metalcore Chronicles - Dwid Hellion of Integrity!

More examples

  • She answered with a sarcastic comment.
  • The praise sounded sarcastic.
  • He missed the sarcastic tone.

Forms

sarcastic

Similar words

ironic
Ironic need not mock or express contempt.
sardonic
Sardonic adds bitterness or scorn.