ironic
[ ahy-ron-ik ]
/ aɪˈrɒn ɪk /
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.
RELATED CONTENT
What Do Double Entendres Mean?A double entendre is a subtle literary device that uses one statement to convey two very different meanings. Taken literally, a double entendre is usually an innocent statement that has no ironic or inappropriate overtones. Taken another way, the same statement often can mean something too indelicate to be said in polite company. A double entendre can also work in reverse, with an apparently dirty …
What Does “Literally” Have To Do With “Definitely” And “Totally”?With all the hullabaloo about the figurative sense of literally, language enthusiasts have given much thought to this often maligned term. We've even discussed how the metaphorical extension of literally is nothing new—it's been around since the 1700s—but now we'd like to explore a few other adverbs and their ironic uses. I believe that recent uses of definitely and totally suggest that the linguistic development of literally is not an isolated incident, but a trend.
RELATED WORDS
unexpected, mocking, incongruous, twisted, sardonic, ridiculous, satiric, caustic, satirical, wry, arrogant, paradoxical, acrid, alert, backbiting, biting, bitter, burlesque, clever, contemptuous
Nearby words
- irondequoit,
- irone,
- ironer,
- ironfisted,
- ironhanded,
- ironical,
- ironically,
- ironing,
- ironing board,
- ironist
Origin of ironic
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for ironic
ironic
ironical
/ (aɪˈrɒnɪk) /
adjective
of, characterized by, or using irony
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
1620s, from Late Latin ironicus, from Greek eironikos "dissembling, putting on a feigned ignorance," from eironeia (see irony). Related: Ironical (1570s); ironically.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper