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Ironical: meaning, definitions and examples

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ironical

 

[ aɪˈrɒnɪkəl ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

situational humor

Ironical refers to a situation that is contrary to what one expects or to the intended meaning of words. It often involves a striking contrast between reality and expectations.

Synonyms

mocking, sarcastic, satirical

Examples of usage

  • It was ironical that the fire station burned down.
  • The ironical twist in the story left readers surprised.
  • She found it ironical that he forgot their anniversary again.
  • His ironical comments often went over people's heads.

Translations

Translations of the word "ironical" in other languages:

🇵🇹 irônico

🇮🇳 व्यंग्यात्मक

🇩🇪 ironisch

🇮🇩 ironi

🇺🇦 іронічний

🇵🇱 ironiczny

🇯🇵 皮肉な

🇫🇷 ironique

🇪🇸 irónico

🇹🇷 ironik

🇰🇷 아이러니한

🇸🇦 ساخر

🇨🇿 ironický

🇸🇰 irónický

🇨🇳 讽刺的

🇸🇮 ironičen

🇮🇸 irónískur

🇰🇿 ирониялы

🇬🇪 ირონიული

🇦🇿 ironik

🇲🇽 irónico

Etymology

The word 'ironical' originates from the Greek word 'eironeia,' which means 'feigned ignorance.' Emerging in the English language in the late 19th century, it describes situations that are unexpectedly contradictory. The term gained popularity through literature and critical discourse, as it elegantly expressed the nuances of human experience and perception. It evolved from its roots in rhetoric, focusing on the subtleties of meaning, often creating a layered understanding of communication. In contemporary usage, irony encompasses a broad spectrum of expressions, intertwining humor and critique.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,934, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.