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



sarcasm (countable and uncountable, plural sarcasms)

  1. (uncountable) A sharp form of humor, intended to hurt, 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, chapter 5, The Celebrity:
  2. (countable) An act of sarcasm.


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