| English Dictionary |
SATIRICAL
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| IPA (US): |  |
Dictionary entry overview: What does satirical mean?
• SATIRICAL (adjective)
The adjective SATIRICAL has 1 sense:
1. exposing human folly to ridicule
Familiarity information: SATIRICAL used as an adjective is very rare.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
Exposing human folly to ridicule
Synonyms:
satiric; satirical
Context example:
a persistent campaign of mockery by the satirical fortnightly magazine
Similar:
sarcastic (expressing or expressive of ridicule that wounds)
Derivation:
satire (witty language used to convey insults or scorn)
Context examples
He has a very satirical eye, and if I do not begin by being impertinent myself, I shall soon grow afraid of him.
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
It was not, however, so saturnine a pride! she laughed continually; her laugh was satirical, and so was the habitual expression of her arched and haughty lip.
(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)
Because they neither flattered herself nor her children, she could not believe them good-natured; and because they were fond of reading, she fancied them satirical: perhaps without exactly knowing what it was to be satirical; but THAT did not signify.
(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)
Mary Kingsley insisted on lending her her watch till recess, and Jenny Snow, a satirical young lady, who had basely twitted Amy upon her limeless state, promptly buried the hatchet and offered to furnish answers to certain appalling sums.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
| Learn English with... Proverbs |
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