noun pl. ironies -·nies

1. 1. a method of humorous or subtly sarcastic expression in which the intended meaning of the words is the direct opposite of their usual sense the irony of calling a stupid plan “clever”
   2. an instance of this
2. the contrast, as in a play, between what a character thinks the truth is, as revealed in a speech or action, and what an audience or reader knows the truth to be
   often dramatic irony
3. a combination of circumstances or a result that is the opposite of what is or might be expected or considered appropriate an irony that the firehouse burned
4. 1. a cool, detached attitude of mind, characterized by recognition of the incongruities and complexities of experience
   2. the expression of such an attitude in a literary work
5. the feigning of ignorance in argument: often called Socratic irony (after Socrates' use of this tactic in Plato's Dialogues)

Etymology: Fr ironie < L ironia < Gr eirōneia < eirōn, dissembler in speech < eirein, to speak < IE base *wer-, to speak > word