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1. a. : the use of words to express something other than and especially the opposite of the literal meaning. b. : a usually humorous or sardonic literary style or form characterized by irony. c. : an ironic expression or utterance. 2. a (1) : incongruity between the actual result of a sequence of events and the normal or expected result. (2)
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What is irony? Here’s a quick and simple definition: Some additional key details about irony: 1. The term "irony" comes from the ancient Greek comic character called the "eiron," who pretends ignorance in order to deceive an opponent. 2. Irony overlaps with, but is not identical to, sarcasm and satire. 3. In the last twenty years or so, the term "i...
The term "irony" usually refers to three particular types of irony: 1. Verbal irony is a figure of speech in which the literal meaning of what someone says is different from—and often opposite to—what they actually mean. For example, if someone has a painful visit to the dentist and when it's over says, "Well, that was pleasant," they are using ver...
All three forms of irony are used very frequently in literature, theater, and film. In addition, sometimes the irony found in any of these mediums is broader and doesn't fit into any of the specific categories, and is instead just general irony.
Irony is a tool that can be used for many different purposes. Though sarcasm and satire are two ways of using irony that are primarily negative and critical, ironic statements can also underscore the fragility, complexity, and beauty of human experience. 1. Situational irony often demonstrates how human beings are always at the mercy of an unpredic...
noun. the humorous or mildly sarcastic use of words to imply the opposite of what they normally mean. an instance of this, used to draw attention to some incongruity or irrationality. incongruity between what is expected to be and what actually is, or a situation or result showing such incongruity. See dramatic irony.
a situation in which something which was intended to have a particular result has the opposite or a very different result: The irony ( of it) is that the new tax system will burden those it was intended to help. Fewer examples. With inevitable irony, it was Smith who scored the winning goal against his former team.
Apr 12, 2024 · Irony is a linguistic and literary device, in spoken or written form, in which real meaning is concealed or contradicted. It takes two forms: verbal irony, in which literal meaning contradicts actual meaning, and dramatic irony, in which there is an incongruity between what is expected and what occurs.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Irony, in its broadest sense, is the juxtaposition of what on the surface appears to be the case and what is actually the case or to be expected. It typically figures as a rhetorical device and literary technique. In some philosophical contexts, however, it takes on a larger significance as an entire way of life.
May 22, 2012 · Definitions of irony. noun. incongruity between what might be expected and what actually occurs. “the irony of Ireland's copying the nation she most hated” see more. noun. a trope that involves incongruity between what is expected and what occurs. see more. noun. witty language used to convey insults or scorn. “ irony is wasted on the stupid”
