ironic

[ ahy-ron-ik ]

/ aɪˈrɒn ɪk /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR ironic ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

using words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning; containing or exemplifying irony: an ironic novel; an ironic remark.

of, relating to, or tending to use irony or mockery; ironical.

coincidental; unexpected: It was ironic that I was seated next to my ex-husband at the dinner.

Words nearby ironic

irondequoit, irone, ironer, ironfisted, ironhanded, ironic, ironical, ironically, ironing, ironing board, ironist

Origin of ironic

1620–30; < Late Latin īrōnicus < Greek eirōnikós dissembling, insincere. See irony¹, -ic

OTHER WORDS FROM ironic

non·i·ron·ic, adjectivesem·i-i·ron·ic, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Examples from the Web for ironic

So it was ironic a couple of months later when the Tea Partiers were railing against it—it had already expired.
To GOP Congress, as Usual, It’s Welfare on the Chopping Block|Monica Potts|December 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Ironic, since it was originally meant to suppress sugar lust.
One Cake to Rule Them All: How Stollen Stole Our Hearts|Molly Hannon|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
How ironic that the Hermit Kingdom is taking the blame for our first real look inside a clique that not even Vice dares penetrate.
Pyongyang Shuffle: Hollywood In Dead Panic Over Sony Hack|James Poulos|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
How ironic and unfortunate that the critics tend to focus on one “bad” class or the other.
Walmart Lifts Black Friday’s Curse|James Poulos|November 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST

That is ironic politically because just this spring Obama asked Congress to narrow the 2001 AUMF or even consider phasing it out.
Obama's New War on ISIS May Be Illegal|Eli Lake|September 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He considered her and she kept her cold, ironic face uplifted to his scrutiny.
The Third Window|Anne Douglas Sedgwick
He waved an ironic farewell and crossed the road to his own lodgings, which stood almost directly opposite.
The Black Moth|Georgette Heyer
The Governor watched it for a moment with an ironic grin, then began opening the envelopes and scanning the contents.
Blacksheep! Blacksheep!|Meredith Nicholson
"Might try soothin' syrup," said the deacon, with an ironic grin.
Scattergood Baines|Clarence Budington Kelland
Her pale, usually expressionless face was lighted now with an ironic smile.
Rich Man, Poor Man|Maximilian Foster

British Dictionary definitions for ironic

ironic

ironical

/ (aɪˈrɒnɪk) /

adjective

of, characterized by, or using irony

Derived forms of ironic

ironicalness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

ironic

adjective

Words related to ironic

Words nearby ironic

Origin of ironic

OTHER WORDS FROM ironic

Examples from the Web for ironic

British Dictionary definitions for ironic

ironical

adjective

Derived forms of ironic