irony means 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. It carries an Arena rating of 1616, earned across 15 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, irony ranks #107 of 17,134 for Most Malleable Words, #523 of 17,127 for Words That Escaped Their Books, #5,152 of 17,138 for Most Incisive Words, #5,636 of 17,126 for Most Elegant Words.
irony is pronounced /ˈaɪə.ɹə.ni/.
Why “irony” is a great word
A poignant or humorous incongruity between expectation and reality, or between literal expression and intended meaning. Its lineage is precise: from Middle English *hyrony*, *yrony*, from Old French *ironie*, from Latin *īrōnīa*, from Ancient Greek εἰρωνεία (*eirōneía*, 'feigned ignorance, dissimulation'). Unlike *sarcasm*, a weaponized verbal irony meant to wound, or *coincidence*, a mere chance alignment of events, irony thrives in the gap between design and outcome, often without malice. It is the fire station burning down, the traffic cop receiving a parking ticket, and the marriage counselor's own divorce—the universe's quiet, structural joke on our faith in order, a twist of fate delivered with a raised eyebrow.
Etymology
First attested in 1502. From Middle French ironie, from Old French, from Latin īrōnīa, from Ancient Greek εἰρωνεία (eirōneía, “irony, pretext”), from εἴρων (eírōn, “one who feigns ignorance”).
noun
- 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.e.g.“Irony, saying what it ne'er intends,
Censures with praise, and speaks to foes as friends.” — 1835, L[arret] Langley, “[The Seven Tropes.] Irony.”, in A Manual of the Figures of Rhetoric, […], Doncaster, South Yorkshire: […] C. White, […], →OCLC, page 11:
- 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.; An ironic statement.
- 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.
- Socratic irony: ignorance feigned for the purpose of confounding or provoking an antagonist.
- Contradiction between circumstances and expectations; condition contrary to what might be expected.
- A kind of metallic marble.e.g.“And before the season's over millions of "glassies" and "aggies" or "ironies" will change hands, and thousands more will manage to get themselves lost.” — 1968, Boys' Life, volume 58, number 5, page 10:
adj
- Of or pertaining to the metal iron.e.g.“The food had an irony taste to it.”
Definitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).
Words closest in meaning
By meaning, not spelling — each word's AI semantic fingerprint, nearest first.
- ironicalness 74% match — irony; the quality of being ironical. vs irony →
- ironically 65% match — In an ironic manner; in a way displaying irony. vs irony →
- ironical 65% match — Characterized by or constituting (any kind of) irony. vs irony →
- antiphrasis 64% match — Use of a word or phrase in a sense opposite of its literal meaning, especially for ironic or humorous effect. vs irony →
- ironist 63% match — Someone who uses irony in humor. vs irony →
- sarcasm 63% match — Use of acerbic language to mock or convey contempt, often using verbal irony and (in speech) often marked by overemphasis and sneering. vs irony →
- unironic 61% match — Not ironic; free of irony. Sincere or genuine. vs irony →
- acyron 60% match — The use of words incompatible with or contrary to the speaker's meaning. vs irony →