irony

¹

[ahy-ruh-nee, ahy-er-]

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

[ahy-er-nee]

adjective

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

   an irony color.

irony

¹

/ 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

/ ˈaɪənɪ /

adjective

1. of, resembling, or containing iron

irony

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.

Word History and Origins

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. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of irony¹

C16: from Latin ironia, from Greek eirōneia, from eirōn dissembler, from eirein to speak

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

The guest spot gives Colbert an intriguing new chapter: as he transitions away from nightly hosting, he steps into fiction, satire and dramatic irony all at once.

Read more on Salon

A sad irony of Justice Kennedy’s career was that his most heated critics would eventually come not from the right but from the left.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The irony: The government bleeds dollars to save a currency Mr. Milei promised to eliminate.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The remark carries a delicate wisp of rueful irony.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The irony is that failing to understand those reasons has needlessly disrupted the advancement of millions of low-income people in the name of helping them.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• humor 
• paradox 
• satire 
• twist 
• wit