irony Definition
- 1the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect
- 2a state of affairs or an event that seems deliberately contrary to what one expects and is often amusing as a result
Using irony: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "irony" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
It's ironic that the firefighter's house burned down.
Example
The irony of the situation was not lost on her.
Example
The irony of the situation is that he made more money when he was unemployed.
Example
The irony of the play is that the audience knows more than the characters.
irony Synonyms and Antonyms
Antonyms for irony
Idioms Using irony
a situation in which events seem to be deliberately working against someone, often with a sense of inevitability
Example
After years of avoiding accidents, he was hit by a car while walking to work. The irony of fate was not lost on him.
Example
After years of cheating on his taxes, he was caught by the IRS and had to pay a large fine. It was poetic justice.
life's little ironies
unexpected or ironic events that happen in everyday life
Example
After spending all day cleaning the house, she spilled coffee on the carpet. Life's little ironies, she thought.
Phrases with irony
a literary technique in which the audience knows more about a situation than the characters do, creating tension or suspense
Example
In Romeo and Juliet, the audience knows that Juliet is not really dead, but Romeo does not, creating dramatic irony.
verbal irony
a figure of speech in which words are used to suggest the opposite of their literal meaning, often for humorous or sarcastic effect
Example
Saying 'What a beautiful day' when it's raining outside is an example of verbal irony.
a situation in which actions have an effect that is opposite from what was intended, resulting in an unexpected outcome
Example
A fire station burning down is an example of situational irony.
Origins of irony
from Greek 'eironeia', meaning 'dissimulation' or 'feigned ignorance'
Summary: irony in Brief
Irony [ˈaɪrəni] refers to the use of language to express the opposite of what is meant, often for humorous or emphatic effect. It can also describe situations that are contrary to expectations, often with amusing results. Examples include 'It's ironic that the firefighter's house burned down,' and 'The irony of the situation was not lost on her.' Irony can take different forms, such as dramatic, verbal, and situational irony, and is often used in literature. Idioms like 'the irony of fate' and 'poetic justice' describe situations where events seem to be working against someone in an ironic way.
