What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
drolly
Example
He told the story drolly, with a straight face and no hint of a smile. [drolly: adverb]
Example
She made a drolly witty comment that had everyone laughing. [drolly: adjective]
wittily
Example
He responded wittily to her insult, leaving her speechless. [wittily: adverb]
Example
Her wittily worded response had everyone in stitches. [wittily: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Wittily is more commonly used than drolly in everyday language. Wittily is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while drolly is less common and may be considered more old-fashioned or formal.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between drolly and wittily?
Drolly is typically associated with a more formal or old-fashioned tone, while wittily is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.