noun
irony
EYE-ruh-nee/ˈaɪrəni/
A pointed contrast between apparent expectation and actuality.
The irony is that the fire engine itself is on fire.
Etymology
The Greek base names people who conceal their real knowledge or intent. Through speech whose intended meaning opposes its literal meaning, irony extended to circumstances that seem to mock what was expected.
In context
there is a sharp contrast between expectations and reality the difference here is that the audience is aware of this reality before the characters dramatic irony is deployed
More examples
- With obvious irony, he calls the three-hour delay a quick stop.
- She appreciates the irony of a privacy seminar requiring personal information.
- One of life's ironies is that our labor-saving devices create more work.
Forms
irony · ironies
ironic adjective — Expressing or involving a pointed, unexpected contrast.
ironically adverb — In a way that contrasts with expectations.
Similar words
- sarcasm
- Uses mocking language to ridicule, rather than merely highlight contrast.
- incongruity
- Marks a mismatch without necessarily reversing an expectation.