Word
irony
Meanings
A situation in which the outcome is the opposite of what was expected, often in a surprising or amusing way.
A way of speaking in which someone says the opposite of what they really mean, often to be funny or critical.
A style or quality in art or writing that highlights a gap between appearance and reality, often with humor or subtle criticism.
Definition
Irony is when the real meaning or outcome is different from what is expected or said.
Irony describes a contrast between what people expect and what actually happens, or between what someone says and what they truly mean. It is often used to create humor, criticism, or surprise. In everyday speech, it can also refer to an unexpected and almost “opposite” result.
Examples
- The irony is that he taught safety but never wore a helmet.
- She smiled at the irony of losing her keys right after buying a key finder.
- His comment was full of irony, but some people took it seriously.
- There’s a painful irony in complaining about stress on a relaxing vacation.
- We all laughed at the irony of the fire station catching fire.