What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
irony
Example
It's ironic that the firefighter's house burned down.
Example
She said 'I love getting stuck in traffic' with heavy irony. [irony: noun]
Example
The irony of the situation was not lost on him. [irony: noun]
parody
Example
The movie was a parody of classic horror films.
Example
The comedian did a hilarious parody of the president's speech. [parody: noun]
Example
He parodied the popular song by changing the lyrics to be about his cat. [parodied: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Irony is more commonly used than parody in everyday language. Irony is a versatile tool that can be used in various contexts, while parody is more limited in its application and is often used in artistic or comedic settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between irony and parody?
Both irony and parody can be used in informal or formal settings, but irony is more versatile and can be employed in a wider range of formality levels.
