irony

noun
UK: /ˈaɪrəni/
US: /ˈaɪrəni/

  1. The use of words to express the opposite of what you really mean, especially as a way of being funny.

    1. His voice dripped with irony as he said, "That's just great!".
    2. The irony of the situation was that he was praising the thief for his honesty, a quality he lacked.

  2. A situation in which something happens that is the opposite of what you expected.

    1. The irony was that I locked myself out with the keys inside.
    2. It's a bitter irony that he moved to the countryside for peace and quiet, but there is construction noise.

Synonyms

sarcasm paradox satire wit
irony verb

  1. To use irony.

    1. She ironied every statement with a wink.
    2. He ironied his approval, but everyone knew he disapproved strongly.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "irony" in English means: The use of words to express the opposite of what you really mean, especially as a way of being funny., A situation in which something happens that is the opposite of what you expected..

The phonetic transcription of "irony" is /ˈaɪrəni/ in British English and /ˈaɪrəni/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "irony": sarcasm, paradox, satire, wit.

Example usage of "irony": "His voice dripped with irony as he said, "That's just great!".". More examples on the page.