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Ironic: meaning, definitions and examples

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ironic

 

[aɪˈrɒnɪk ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

tone

using words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning; containing or exemplifying irony

Synonyms

mocking, sarcastic, satirical.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
ironic

Ironic is used when something happens in a way that seems the opposite of what you would expect or something that is funny because it is strange or unexpected.

  • It's ironic that the fire station burned down.
  • The book about not using technology was written on a computer. Isn't that ironic?
sarcastic

Sarcastic is used to describe a type of humor or remark that says the opposite of what you really mean, often to insult someone or something.

  • Wow, you're really good at this, aren't you? he said in a sarcastic tone.
  • Sure, because making fun of people is really nice, she replied sarcastically.
satirical

Satirical is used to describe work that uses humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize or make fun of someone's stupidity or vices, especially in the context of politics.

  • The novel is a satirical take on the corruption in modern politics.
  • His satirical cartoons go viral for their clever take on social issues.
mocking

Use mocking when someone is making fun of or ridiculing someone else, often in a mean-spirited way.

  • He made a mocking imitation of her voice.
  • The children were mocking the way he walked.

Examples of usage

  • She gave him a bemused, almost ironic smile.
  • It is ironic that the firefighter's house burned down.
  • The ironic twist at the end of the movie caught everyone by surprise.
Context #2 | Adjective

situation

happening in the opposite way to what is expected, and typically causing wry amusement because of this

Synonyms

coincidental, paradoxical, unexpected.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
ironic

Use when there is a stark contrast between what is expected and what actually happens, often in a humorous or surprising way.

  • It's ironic that the fire station burned down.
  • I find it ironic that a dentist would have terrible teeth.
coincidental

Use to describe an occurrence that happens by chance at the same time as another event without any apparent connection.

  • It was purely coincidental that we both were at the same restaurant on the same night.
  • Their meeting at the airport was completely coincidental.
paradoxical

Use for situations or statements that seem self-contradictory or logically unacceptable, but upon closer inspection, might reveal an underlying truth.

  • It's paradoxical that a man who believes in the value of silence became a famous speaker.
  • The company's strategy is paradoxical; they aim to reduce product prices while increasing revenue.
unexpected

Use when something happens suddenly or in a way that you did not anticipate.

  • The surprise party was completely unexpected.
  • The sudden change in the weather was unexpected.

Examples of usage

  • It's ironic that the environmentalist's car polluted the air.
  • The ironic coincidence made everyone laugh.
  • Isn't it ironic that the weatherman got caught in a sudden rain shower?

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Greek 'eironeia,' meaning 'dissimulation' or 'feigned ignorance.'
  • It was first used in English around the early 16th century, evolving to describe a situation that is contrary to what is expected.

Literature

  • Irony is a key device in literature, often used to highlight contradictions in characters or situations.
  • Famous works like 'Romeo and Juliet' feature irony, where the audience knows more than the characters, creating tension.

Pop Culture

  • Alanis Morissette's song 'Ironic' sparked debates about the true definition of irony due to examples that many felt were not ironic.
  • Movies like 'The Truman Show' illustrate situational irony where the main character is unaware of the reality that surrounds him.

Psychology

  • Psychologists suggest that recognizing irony involves higher cognitive processes, highlighting the complexity of human thought.
  • Some research shows that understanding irony can improve social skills and empathy by promoting perspective-taking.

Philosophy

  • Philosophers often discuss irony in relation to truth and perspective, examining how contradictions reveal deeper truths.
  • Socratic irony, attributed to Socrates, involves pretending to be ignorant to stimulate dialogue and uncover deeper meanings.

Translations

Translations of the word "ironic" in other languages:

🇵🇹 irônico

🇮🇳 विडंबनापूर्ण

🇩🇪 ironisch

🇮🇩 ironis

🇺🇦 іронічний

🇵🇱 ironiczny

🇯🇵 皮肉な (ひにくな)

🇫🇷 ironique

🇪🇸 irónico

🇹🇷 ironik

🇰🇷 아이러니한 (aireoni han)

🇸🇦 ساخر

🇨🇿 ironický

🇸🇰 ironický

🇨🇳 讽刺的 (fěngcì de)

🇸🇮 ironičen

🇮🇸 háðskur

🇰🇿 ирониялы

🇬🇪 ირონიული (ironuli)

🇦🇿 ironik

🇲🇽 irónico

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,429, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.