situational irony

American  

[sich-oo-ey-shuh-nl ahy-ruh-nee, ahyer-] / ˈsɪtʃ uˌeɪ ʃə nl ˈaɪ rə ni, ˈaɪər- /

noun

1. irony involving a situation in which actions have an effect that is opposite from what was intended, so that the outcome is contrary to what was expected.

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Etymology

Origin of situational irony

First recorded in 1960–65

Compare meaning

How does situational-irony compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• situational irony vs. dramatic irony