ironical

American  

[ahy-ron-i-kuhl] / aɪˈrɒn ɪ kəl /

adjective

1. pertaining to, of the nature of, exhibiting, or characterized by irony or mockery: an ironical smile.

   an ironical compliment;

   an ironical smile.

   Synonyms:

   sardonic, sarcastic

2. using or prone to irony.

   an ironical speaker.

   Synonyms:

   sardonic, sarcastic

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• unironical
  adjective
• nonironical
  adjective
• ironicalness
  noun
• nonironicalness
  noun
• semi-ironical
  adjective
• ironically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of ironical

First recorded in 1570–80; ironic + -al ¹

Explanation

Something that's ironical is wryly funny, especially because it doesn't match up with your expectations. It would be ironical to name your enormous Great Dane "Tiny." You can describe this kind of humor, situation, or literary device as either ironical or ironic — in the US it's more common to use the latter. A famously ironical passage from "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" goes like this: "Water, water, everywhere, Nor any drop to drink.” In other words, it's ironical that despite being surrounded by water, the mariner is thirsty. The word comes from the Greek eironikos, "putting on a feigned ignorance."

Example Sentences

Ironical, Romantic When William Fox, cinema magnate, magnifies his business, as he again did last week by the purchase of 356 theatres, he enjoys the luxury of reminiscence.

From Time Magazine Archive

Ironical laughter at this juncture caused the removal of several spectators from the courtroom.

From The Everett massacre A history of the class struggle in the lumber industry by Smith, Walker C.

Ironical words rose to Wych Hazel's lips; but she sent them back.

From The Gold of Chickaree by Warner, Susan

Ironical people like Gibbon are rarely tolerant of brilliant folly.

From Res Judicat? Papers and Essays by Birrell, Augustine

Ironical, sad, a spectator, he is nevertheless a writer who exalts rather than dispirits.

From Old and New Masters by Lynd, Robert