Meaning

(rhetoric) The quality of a statement that, when taken in context, may actually mean something different from, or the opposite of, what is written literally; the use of words expressing something other than their literal intention, often in a humorous context..

Definitions by Sense

1. (rhetoric) The quality of a statement that, when taken in context, may actually mean something different from, or the opposite of, what is written literally; the use of words expressing something other than their literal intention, often in a humorous context.
2. Dramatic irony: a theatrical effect in which the meaning of a situation, or some incongruity in the plot, is understood by the audience, but not by the characters in the play.
3. Socratic irony: ignorance feigned for the purpose of confounding or provoking an antagonist.
4. (informal) Contradiction between circumstances and expectations; condition contrary to what might be expected.
5. Of or pertaining to the metal iron.
6. (childish, dated) A kind of metallic marble.

Example Sentences

Irony, saying what it ne'er intends, Censures with praise, and speaks to foes as friends.

A principal virtue of Rorty's recognition of both the lightminded and the serious side of irony is to urge us in that direction.

The food had an irony taste to it.

The scrap yard had bins marked for irony aluminum, such as aluminum engine blocks not wholly cleaned of bolts, studs, brackets, and so on.

Thus in Cornwall, and many parts of Germany and France, in mineral districts, an irony appearance of a vein, where seen at the crop, is regarded as favourable.

E. W. Baker, Main St. - No odor, good appearance, slight irony taste; pressure weak. But water which had stood in wash pitcher some three or four days showed pronounced odor.

There can be no doubt that persistent biking robs the female limb of its graceful contour and substitutes therefore the rugged protrusive muscles, the ungainly and irony look of the masculine leg.

It [overgrazing] eventually causes a particularly hard irony surface to the soil which is perfectly unmistakable once you have seen it , and also certain weeds which are also unmistakable once you have seen them.

Word Forms

• ironies
• more irony
• most irony

Synonyms for irony

Related Words

When Should You Use Irony?

Use irony when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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