irony Hear it!

irony¹ Definition

irony (ī′rə nē, ī′ər nē)

noun pl. -·nies

    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
  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
    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

irony² Definition

irony (ī′ər nē)

adjective

of, like, or containing iron

irony Synonyms

irony

n.

sarcasm, wit, humor, paradox, incongruity, double meaning, twist, absurdity, ridicule, raillery, mockery, burlesque, parody, quip, banter, derision, jibe, taunt, cynicism, black humor, gallows humor, repartee, contradiction, ambiguity, equivocation, innuendo, backhanded compliment*; see also sarcasm. See syn. study atwit.

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.