irony
noun
called also dramatic irony
called also Socratic irony
Did you know?
What's irony?
Considerable thought is given to what events constitute “true” irony, and the dictionary is often called upon to supply an answer. Here are the facts about how the word irony is used.
Irony has two formal uses that are not as common in general prose as its more casual uses. One refers to Socratic irony—a method of revealing an opponent’s ignorance by pretending to be ignorant yourself and asking probing questions. The other refers to dramatic irony or tragic irony—an incongruity between the situation in a drama and the words used by the characters that only the audience can see. Socratic irony is a tool used in debating; dramatic irony is what happens when the audience realizes that Romeo and Juliet’s plans will go awry.
The third, and debated, use of irony regards what’s called situational irony. Situational irony involves a striking reversal of what is expected or intended: a person sidesteps a pothole to avoid injury and in doing so steps into another pothole and injures themselves. Critics claim the words irony and ironic as they are used in cases lacking a striking reversal, such as “Isn’t it ironic that you called just as I was planning to call you?,” are more properly called coincidence.
The historical record shows that irony and ironic have been used imprecisely for almost 100 years at least, and often to refer to coincidence. This 1939 quote from F. Scott Fitzgerald is typical: "It is an ironic thought that the last picture job I took—against my better judgment—yielded me five thousand dollars five hundred and cost over four thousand in medical attention." Is this true situational irony? It’s debatable.
The word irony has come to be applied to events that are merely curious or coincidental, and while some feel this is an incorrect use of the word, it is merely a new one.
Example Sentences
Amanda Bower, Time, 20 Aug. 2001 The great irony of anthracite is that, tough as it is to light, once you get it lit it's nearly impossible to put out. Bill Bryson, A Walk in the Woods, 1999 And the irony is obvious: those who once had been the victims of separatism, who had sacrificed so dearly to overcome their being at the margins, would later create an ethos of their own separatism. Shelby Steele, Harper's, July 1992 a writer known for her clever use of irony “What a beautiful view,” he said, his voice dripping with irony, as he looked out the window at the alley. She described her vacation with heavy irony as “an educational experience.” It was a tragic irony that he made himself sick by worrying so much about his health. That's just one of life's little ironies. The irony of the situation was apparent to everyone. He has a strong sense of irony. See More Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Sep. 2022 The irony of polio’s comeback is that the very vaccination campaign the CDC estimates has prevented 16 million cases of paralysis and 1.5 million deaths since 1988 is also partly responsible for the new resurgence. Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 31 Aug. 2022 The irony of attending college in the U.S. is that the burden of paying for it can prevent it from serving its purpose of launching young adults into stable, fulfilling lives. Alexis Redding, The Atlantic, 31 Aug. 2022 The irony of Dear Basketball was its overall themes of purpose, acceptance, and learning to let go. Okla Jones, Essence, 23 Aug. 2022 The irony of needless panic about MPX in public places is that people should be masking in subways for COVID. Steven W. Thrasher, Scientific American, 18 Aug. 2022 But some pointed out the irony of the city working with public bike-share company Bluebikes to provide free passes during the shutdown — while a major biking artery would be undergoing repairs. Anjali Huynh, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Aug. 2022 The irony of this number, of course, is that Bleu absolutely does dance — exceptionally well, in fact. Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2022 The great irony of Ephron’s afterlife, then, is how quickly she’s been reduced to sentimental lore. Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Latin ironia, from Greek eirōnia, from eirōn dissembler
1502, in the meaning defined at sense 3
Phrases Containing irony
Kids Definition
irony
noun
irony
noun
Synonyms & Similar Words
- contradiction
- paradox
- amusement
- absurdity
- incongruity
- ridiculousness
- dichotomy
- funniness
- humorousness
- humor
- illogicality
- peculiarity
- spoof
- ludicrousness
- fun
- enjoyment
- satire
- whimsicality
- richness
- comedy
- wryness
- pleasure
- takeoff
- laughableness
- playfulness
- comicality
- wittiness
- parody
- hilariousness
- drollness
- drollery
- farce
- jocularity
- comic
- burlesque
- lampoon
- jokiness
- slapstick
- caricature
- uproariousness
- waggishness
- jest
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of irony are humor, repartee, sarcasm, satire, and wit. While all these words mean "a mode of expression intended to arouse amusement," irony applies to a manner of expression in which the intended meaning is the opposite of what is seemingly expressed.
While the synonyms humor and irony are close in meaning, humor implies an ability to perceive the ludicrous, the comical, and the absurd in human life and to express these usually without bitterness.
The words repartee and irony are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, repartee implies the power of answering quickly, pointedly, or wittily.
The meanings of sarcasm and irony largely overlap; however, sarcasm applies to expression frequently in the form of irony that is intended to cut or wound.
The synonyms satire and irony are sometimes interchangeable, but satire applies to writing that exposes or ridicules conduct, doctrines, or institutions either by direct criticism or more often through irony, parody, or caricature.
While in some cases nearly identical to irony, wit suggests the power to evoke laughter by remarks showing verbal felicity or ingenuity and swift perception especially of the incongruous.