ironic
The situation was ironic when the sunny weather forecast led everyone to the beach, only for a sudden downpour to begin.
- Adjective:
- Characterized by a poignant or striking incongruity between what is expected or intended and what actually occurs: Describes a situation or outcome that is contrary to what was anticipated, often in a way that seems cruelly or humorously contradictory.
- Using or characterized by a form of humor in which the intended meaning is conveyed indirectly, often through sarcasm or understatement: Describes language, a tone, or a style that expresses something, typically criticism or amusement, by saying the opposite of what is meant or by highlighting a contrast.
Adjective (Situational Incongruity):
- It was ironic that the fire station burned down. (The expected role of a fire station is to prevent fires, so its destruction by fire is a contradictory outcome.)
- There is an ironic twist at the end of the story. (The story concludes with an unexpected and contradictory turn of events.)
Adjective (Verbal/Stylistic):
- "What a perfect day," she said with an ironic smile as the rain poured down. (Her words express the opposite of the literal meaning, conveyed through tone and context.)
- The author's ironic tone throughout the novel critiques social norms. (The writer uses indirect mockery or understatement to convey criticism.)
Dramatic Irony: A literary technique where the audience knows more about a situation than the characters do, creating a gap between character understanding and reality.
- In the play, the audience's knowledge of the secret creates a powerful sense of dramatic irony.
Socratic Irony: A rhetorical tactic where someone feigns ignorance to expose the weaknesses in another person's argument.
- The philosopher's use of Socratic irony was a method to guide his students to discover the truth themselves.
Ironical (adj): An older, less common variant with the same meaning as "ironic."
- His ironical comment was lost on the audience.
Irony (n): The central concept; the state of affairs or the use of language that is ironic.
- The irony of the situation was not lost on anyone.
Ironist (n): A person who uses irony, especially a writer.
- The essayist was known as a sharp ironist.
- Sardonic: Grimly mocking or cynical.
- Sarcastic: Using harsh or bitter irony to mock or convey contempt.
- Wry: Using dry, often mocking humor.
- Incongruous: Not in harmony or keeping with the surroundings or other aspects; out of place.
Ironic detachment: A state of emotional distance maintained through the use of irony.
- He viewed the chaos with an ironic detachment.
Ironic humor: A type of comedy based on irony.
- The film is celebrated for its sharp, ironic humor.
Isn't it ironic?: A rhetorical question highlighting a perceived incongruity. (Note: This phrase is often used in popular culture, though its usage sometimes aligns more with mere coincidence than strict irony.)
- He became a traffic cop after getting so many speeding tickets. Isn't it ironic?
The irony is not lost on (someone): Someone fully perceives or appreciates the ironic nature of a situation.
- The irony of a chef who can't boil water was not lost on the restaurant critics.
The situation was ironic when the sunny weather forecast led everyone to the beach, only for a sudden downpour to begin.
- characterized by often poignant difference or incongruity between what is expected and what actually is
- madness, an ironic fate for such a clear thinker
- it was ironical that the well-planned scheme failed so completely
- humorously sarcastic or mocking
- dry humor
- an ironic remark often conveys an intended meaning obliquely
- an ironic novel
- an ironical smile
- with a wry Scottish wit