irony¹ Definition
irony (ī′rə nē, ī′ər nē)
noun pl. -·nies
- 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”
- an instance of this
- 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
- 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
- a cool, detached attitude of mind, characterized by recognition of the incongruities and complexities of experience
- the expression of such an attitude in a literary work
- 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
irony² Definition
irony (ī′ər nē)
adjective
of, like, or containing iron
irony Synonyms
irony
n.
irony Usage Examples
Converse of object
- appreciate: She also wears a crop top bearing the Beatles logo, proving her stylist, at least, appreciates irony.
- realize: Then, with plenty of time on my hands, I began to realize the irony of that whole experience.
- detect: I failed to detect any irony in his tone.
- employ: The story is told with wry wit and humor, employing sharp irony and masterful dialog.
- understand: I've never been able to fully understand irony.
- miss: Ironic, but an irony missed on York who never seemed to notice how rioting eventually proved to be her nemesis.
Converse of subject
strike: Finally, I am struck by one irony behind all this.
Adjective modifier
- cruel: For in a cruel irony, the bombing raids had saved the day.
- bitter: Dunn finds a rather bitter irony of circumstance in the fact that the anniversary of Lesley's death has coincided with Mother's Day.
- Socratic: Indeed, contrary to both traditional and modern readings of Socrates, the Romantics also stressed the contradictions of irony and Socratic irony.
- tragic: The tragic irony was lost on nobody involved with the production.
- supreme: Indeed, it seems like the supreme irony that militant atheism has managed to acquire the mentality of a religion.
- comforting: Comforting irony in book sales speaking able to report properties with some.
Noun used with modifier
- post-modern: Is it supposed to be post-modern irony or something?
- postmodern: Love the postmodern irony of the Tesco's tissues.
Preposition: in
situation: There's so much irony in the situation that for once I'll refrain from commenting.
Preposition: of
- situation: The irony of the situation in which we find ourselves today should be evident for all to see.
- history: This is a great irony of history which forms the central part of his story.
- story: Well, smell the irony of this story, then: London bus turned into clinic for disabled.
- war: In an all too frequent irony of war, they were shelled by their own artillery.
Browse dictionary entries near irony
- ‹ ironworks
- ‹ ironworker
- ‹ ironwork
- ‹ ironwood
- ‹ ironweed
- ‹ ironware
- ‹ ironstone
- ‹ ironsmith
- ‹ Ironsides
- ‹ irons
- Iroquoian ›
- Iroquois ›
- IRR ›
- irradiance ›
- irradiate ›
- irradiation ›
- irrational ›
- irrational exuberance ›
- irrationalism ›
- irrationality ›

