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Irony

EYE-ruh-nee /ˈaɪrəni/

nounB2SATGRETOEFL

generalliterary

The expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect (verbal irony); a state of affairs or an event that seems deliberately contrary to what one expects and is often amusing as a result (situational irony); a literary device where the audience knows more than the characters (dramatic irony).

Irony is about contrast and expectation. Verbal irony is saying one thing but meaning the opposite. Situational irony is when the outcome is contrary to expectations. Dramatic irony is when the audience has more information than the characters.

The story behind the word. The word 'irony' comes from the Greek 'eironeia', which meant 'dissimulation' or 'assumed ignorance'. In ancient Greek comedy, the 'eiron' was a character who feigned ignorance to outwit a boastful opponent. This sense of saying one thing while meaning another, or a deceptive appearance, is at the heart of our modern understanding of irony.

Word relationships

Sarcasm: Sarcasm is a type of verbal irony used specifically to mock or convey contempt; irony is broader and can be humorous, emphatic, or simply a contrast.
Paradox: Paradox is a statement that seems self-contradictory but contains a deeper truth; irony is about contrast between expectation and reality or stated and implied meaning.

Sincerity: Irony often involves saying the opposite of what is meant; sincerity involves expressing true feelings directly.
Literalness: Irony relies on implied meaning; literalness adheres strictly to explicit meaning.

Commonly confused with

Coincidence: A coincidence is a chance occurrence of two events; irony implies a deliberate or striking contrast, often with a sense of absurdity or a twist of fate.

Word family

ironic (adjective): using or characterized by irony
ironically (adverb): in an ironic manner

Collocations

verbal irony
situational irony
dramatic irony
sense of irony
bitter irony

Example sentences

"It was a cruel irony that the fire station burned down, despite being equipped with the latest safety technology." Describing a surprising turn of events.
"When she said, 'Oh, fantastic, another Monday,' her tone was dripping with irony, clearly indicating her displeasure." Analyzing a character's dialogue.

Memory hook

Think of 'EYE-run-E' – your eye runs over a situation, and you see the unexpected twist or hidden meaning. Eye runs, sees twist

When not to use

Don't confuse irony with mere coincidence. For something to be ironic, there must be a strong, often deliberate, contrast between expectation and reality or between what is said and what is meant.

Fun facts

There are many types of irony beyond verbal, situational, and dramatic, including cosmic irony (where fate seems to mock human efforts) and historical irony.
Understanding irony is a key indicator of advanced language comprehension and cultural literacy.