Meaning of Irony
the funny or strange aspect of a situation that is very different from what you expect; a situation like this
In simple words: A contrast between what is expected and what actually happens.
Irony in a sentence
- It is a deep irony that the fire station burned down last night.
- Her speech was full of irony, making it clear she didn’t truly support the proposal.
- Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows more than the characters do.
- The irony of the situation was that the doctor became seriously ill.
- Verbal irony, where someone says the opposite of what they mean, can be amusing.
- There is an irony in how the environmentalist’s car broke down due to neglect.
- Situational irony happened when the police officer was caught committing a crime.
How to use Irony
Irony is often used in literature and everyday conversation to highlight contradictions. It's typically appropriate in both casual and formal settings, but be cautious of overusing it, as it may lead to confusion.
Grammar pattern
standalone noun
Memory hint
Think of 'I-RONY' as 'Ironic Reality'. Imagine a firefighter's house burning down.
Related words
Collocations with Irony
Synonyms for Irony
- sarcasm
- paradox
- contradiction
- mockery
- incongruity
Opposites of Irony
- seriousness
- sincerity
- earnestness
Common mistakes with Irony
- Confused with sarcasm, as they are related but distinct.
- Using 'ironic' inaccurately; not all contradictions are ironic.
- Overusing irony in serious contexts where clarity is more appropriate.
Irony appears in
Irony in other languages
- Arabicالعربية
سخرية
تناقض بين ما هو متوقع وما يحدث بالفعل.
- Bengaliবাংলা
বিদ্রূপ
যা আশা করা হয় এবং যা আসলে ঘটে তার মধ্যে একটি বৈপরীত্য।
- GermanDeutsch
Ironie
Ein Gegensatz zwischen dem, was erwartet wird, und dem, was tatsächlich passiert.
- SpanishEspañol
Ironía
Un contraste entre lo que se espera y lo que realmente sucede.
- Persianفارسی
کنایه، طنز تلخ
یه تضاد بین چیزی که انتظار داری و چیزی که واقعاً اتفاق میافته.
- FrenchFrançais
Ironie
Un contraste entre ce qui est attendu et ce qui se passe réellement.
- Hindiहिन्दी
व्यंग्य
जो उम्मीद की जाती है और जो वास्तव में होता है, उसके बीच का विरोधाभास।
- ItalianItaliano
Ironia
Un contrasto tra ciò che ci si aspetta e ciò che accade realmente.
- PortuguesePortuguês
Ironia
Um contraste entre o que se espera e o que realmente acontece.
- RussianРусский
Ирония
Контраст между тем, что ожидается, и тем, что происходит на самом деле.
- Urduاردو
طنز
وہ تضاد جو کسی چیز کی توقع اور اصل میں جو ہوتا ہے اس کے درمیان ہوتا ہے۔
- Chinese中文
irony
预期和实际发生的事情之间的一种反差。
More words like Irony
- Sarcasm
- Paradox
- Contradiction
- AbolishC1
To formally put an end to a system, practice, or institution.
- AbortionC1
the deliberate ending of a pregnancy at an early stage
- AbsenceC1
the fact of somebody being away from a place where they are usually expected to be; the occasion or period of time when somebody is away
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Frequently asked questions about Irony
What does Irony mean?
A contrast between what is expected and what actually happens.
What is the definition of Irony?
the funny or strange aspect of a situation that is very different from what you expect; a situation like this
How do you use Irony in a sentence?
It is a deep irony that the fire station burned down last night.
Can you give another example of Irony?
Her speech was full of irony, making it clear she didn’t truly support the proposal.
What are synonyms for Irony?
Common alternatives include sarcasm, paradox, contradiction, mockery, incongruity.
What is the opposite of Irony?
Opposite meanings include seriousness, sincerity, earnestness.
What words go with Irony?
It commonly pairs with great, heavy, gentle, hint, touch, trace, by a… irony, a certain irony, great, heavy, gentle, hint, touch, trace, by a… irony, a certain irony.
What are common mistakes when using Irony?
Confused with sarcasm, as they are related but distinct. Using 'ironic' inaccurately; not all contradictions are ironic. Overusing irony in serious contexts where clarity is more appropriate.
How do you pronounce Irony?
US: /["/ˈaɪrəni/"]/, UK: /["/ˈaɪrəni/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.
When should I use Irony?
Irony is often used in literature and everyday conversation to highlight contradictions. It's typically appropriate in both casual and formal settings, but be cautious of overusing it, as it may lead to confusion.
What CEFR level is Irony?
"Irony" is at C1 level on the CEFR scale.


