verbal irony

American  

[vur-buhl ahy-ruh-nee, ahyer-] / ˈvɜr bəl ˈaɪ rə ni, ˈaɪər- /

noun

1. irony in which a person says or writes one thing and means another, or uses words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of the literal meaning.

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Etymology

Origin of verbal irony

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

This is verbal irony, or in ’90s parlance, sarcasm.

From Salon

This is verbal irony, or in '90s parlance, sarcasm.

From Salon

This is an example of verbal irony.

From Washington Post