irony
irony Lexical Profile
irony Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A state of affairs or an event that seems deliberately contrary to what one expects and is often wryly amusing as a result.
"The irony of the fire station burning down while the firefighters were away on a safety inspection was not lost on the townspeople."
The expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect.
"Her dry commentary was filled with subtle irony that some listeners mistook for genuine praise."
A literary or theatrical technique, originally used in Greek tragedy, by which the full significance of a character's words or actions is clear to the audience or reader although unknown to the character.
"Shakespeare frequently employed dramatic irony in his tragedies to heighten suspense for the audience."
• adjective
Consisting of, containing, or resembling the metal iron in taste, color, or texture.
"The mineral spring water had a distinct, irony taste that lingered on the palate."
Word Nuance & Usage
Often confused with coincidence or sarcasm: situational irony requires a direct contradiction between expected and actual outcomes rather than mere chance, while verbal irony need not have the harsh, mocking intent of sarcasm. As an adjective meaning 'resembling iron' (iron + -y), it is completely unrelated to the noun and is pronounced differently (/ˈaɪ.ə.ni/ or /ˈaɪ.ər.ni/).
• Rhymes for irony
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Entered English in the early 16th century via Latin 'ironia' from Ancient Greek 'eirōneia' (simulated ignorance or dissimulation), derived from 'eirōn' (a dissembler in speech).