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.

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irony ² American  

[ahy-er-nee] / ˈaɪ ər ni /

adjective

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

   an irony color.

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irony ¹ British  

/ ˈaɪənɪ /

adjective

1. of, resembling, or containing iron

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irony ² 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

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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.

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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 irony²

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

Explanation

Reserve irony for situations where there's a gap between reality and expectations, especially when such a gap is created for dramatic or humorous effect. In Greek, eiron meant "a dissembler" — someone who hides their true intentions. Today, we do something very similar when we employ irony, often by saying the opposite of what we really mean. The word can also refer to a situation that turns out to be amusingly different from what we expected: "I thought he had stolen the Fig Newtons, but the irony was that he thought the same thing of me." Note that this is more than just an improbable coincidence!

Example Sentences

Instead of poking fun at the outrageous Upper East Side lifestyle, the show endorsed it, with no irony.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 19, 2026

You just want to cry at the irony of it.

From Slate • Apr. 17, 2026

“The irony is that steadily rising education attainment, notably enjoyed by young Latina mothers, leads to bearing fewer children.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

In a supreme irony, as senators Ly Young Phat and Kok An took part in voting for a new law, which the Cambodian government says will harshly punish those involved in scamming.

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

He stood up and yelled, “Go get ’em, Tiger!” with 1950s irony while my mom clapped and whooped next to him.

From "Here to Stay" by Sara Farizan

Related Words

• humor
• paradox
• satire
• twist
• wit