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Wildean

American  
[wahyl-dee-uhn] / ˈwaɪl di ən /

adjective

  1. of, pertaining to, characteristic of, or resembling the literary style of Oscar Wilde.


Etymology

Origin of Wildean

First recorded in 1920–25; Wilde + -an

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

His badinage is hardly Wildean, but his put-downs, honed to the sharpness of stilettos, are many people’s idea of fun.

From Salon May 8, 2024

"Whether you enjoy this show as a star vehicle, a Wildean debate on morality versus self-expression, or a cutting-edge piece of mixed-media art, it's an extraordinary event."

From BBC Feb. 16, 2024

Gadsby briefly mentioned Oscar Wilde, and though she dismissed any connection, a chief source of her wit is the Wildean inversion of social norms.

From Los Angeles Times Jun. 19, 2022

This one will never grow old… There’s an intriguing essay in July’s Vanity Fair that posits Instagram as a Wildean metaphor for a constantly updated picture of Dorian Gray.

From The Guardian Jul. 21, 2019

Perhaps Mr. Martin is attempting Wildean social satire in “Meteor Shower”: Beneath its hard shell it is fundamentally about the vulnerability of marriage.

From New York Times Nov. 29, 2017

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