Irony definition and meaning in real context with images and visuals
/ˈaɪə.rə.ni/ (noun)
Definition of irony
- a situation in which you experience exactly the opposite of what you already expected to happen
- a literary device in which you say something yet exactly the opposite of what you say is intended for humorous effect, sarcasm, sardonicism, causticity, acerbity, bitterness, causticness, satire, wit, derision, mockery, paradox
Video of irony
Irony in context
Irony is a literary device that uses unexpected or contradictory situations to create humor or dramatic effect. It often involves a discrepancy between what is expected or intended and what actually happens. There are three main types of irony:
- Verbal irony: This occurs when someone says something opposite to what they mean. For example, if someone says, “What a fantastic day!” on a day when they have a car accident.
- Situational irony: This happens when an unexpected or opposite outcome occurs. For example, a fire station burns down, which is situational irony.
- Dramatic irony: This occurs when the audience knows something that the characters in a story do not. For example, in a mystery novel, the audience may know who the killer is, while the characters do not.
To use irony effectively in your writing, consider the following tips:
- Understand the different types of irony. Knowing the distinctions between verbal, situational, and dramatic irony will help you choose the best type for your purpose.
- Create a strong contrast. The more unexpected or contradictory the situation, the more powerful the ironic effect will be.
- Use irony sparingly. Overusing irony can make your writing seem forced or contrived.
- Consider the tone and context. The tone of your writing and the overall context of the story will influence how effective irony is.
Antonyms
Parts of speech
Adjective: ironic
Adverb: ironically
