irony

¹ American  

[ahy-ruh-nee, ahy-er-] / ˈaɪ rə ni, ˈaɪ ər- /

noun

plural

ironies

1. the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning.

   the irony of her reply, “How nice!” when I said I had to work all weekend.

2. Literature.

   1. a technique of indicating, as through character or plot development, an intention or attitude opposite to that which is actually or ostensibly stated.

   2. (especially in contemporary writing) a manner of organizing a work so as to give full expression to contradictory or complementary impulses, attitudes, etc., especially as a means of indicating detachment from a subject, theme, or emotion.

3. Socratic irony.

4. dramatic irony.

5. an outcome of events contrary to what was, or might have been, expected.

6. the incongruity of this.

7. an objectively sardonic style of speech or writing.

8. an objectively or humorously sardonic utterance, disposition, quality, etc.

---

irony ² American  

[ahy-er-nee] / ˈaɪ ər ni /

adjective

1. consisting of, containing, or resembling the metal iron.

   an irony color.

---

irony ¹ British  

/ ˈaɪrənɪ /

noun

1. the humorous or mildly sarcastic use of words to imply the opposite of what they normally mean

2. an instance of this, used to draw attention to some incongruity or irrationality

3. incongruity between what is expected to be and what actually is, or a situation or result showing such incongruity

4. See dramatic irony

5. philosophy See Socratic irony

---

irony ² British  

/ ˈaɪənɪ /

adjective

1. of, resembling, or containing iron

---

irony Cultural  

1. The use of words to mean something very different from what they appear on the surface to mean. Jonathan Swift uses irony in “A Modest Proposal” when he suggests the eating of babies as a solution to overpopulation and starvation in Ireland.

---

Related Words

Irony, sarcasm, satire indicate mockery of something or someone. The essential feature of irony is the indirect presentation of a contradiction between an action or expression and the context in which it occurs. In the figure of speech, emphasis is placed on the opposition between the literal and intended meaning of a statement; one thing is said and its opposite implied, as in the comment, “Beautiful weather, isn't it?” made when it is raining or nasty. Ironic literature exploits, in addition to the rhetorical figure, such devices as character development, situation, and plot to stress the paradoxical nature of reality or the contrast between an ideal and actual condition, set of circumstances, etc., frequently in such a way as to stress the absurdity present in the contradiction between substance and form. Irony differs from sarcasm in greater subtlety and wit. In sarcasm ridicule or mockery is used harshly, often crudely and contemptuously, for destructive purposes. It may be used in an indirect manner, and have the form of irony, as in “What a fine musician you turned out to be!” or it may be used in the form of a direct statement, “You couldn't play one piece correctly if you had two assistants.” The distinctive quality of sarcasm is present in the spoken word and manifested chiefly by vocal inflection, whereas satire and irony, arising originally as literary and rhetorical forms, are exhibited in the organization or structuring of either language or literary material. Satire usually implies the use of irony or sarcasm for censorious or critical purposes and is often directed at public figures or institutions, conventional behavior, political situations, etc.

Etymology

Origin of irony¹

First recorded in 1495–1505; from Latin īrōnīa, from Greek eirōneía “dissimulation, sarcasm, understatement,” equivalent to eírōn “a dissembler” + -eia -y ³

Origin of irony¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English ireni; iron + -y ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

This perhaps makes it easier to appreciate an irony.

From The Wall Street Journal

It has disclosed having weak internal accounting controls, which is no small irony.

From The Wall Street Journal

The involvement of a “South Park” writer adds an extra layer of irony.

From Salon

The irony is that tribal nations like the Cow Creek Umpqua are among the world’s most responsible forest managers.

From The Wall Street Journal

“The irony is that the people who are most hurt, those that abandon the search for care, have the hardest time recovering damages,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• humor
• paradox
• satire
• twist
• wit