Word
ironic
Phoneticsiron·ic
US/aɪˈɹɑnɪk/
UK/aɪɹˈɒnɪk/
Definitions
01unexpectedly contrary
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. describes a situation that is funny or strange because the result is the exact opposite of what was intended.
adj. characterised by situational irony, where the outcome of an event is incongruous with what was expected or intended.
“It is ironic that the famous computer expert couldn't fix his own laptop.”
“There is something deeply ironic about a billionaire philanthropist who made his fortune by exploiting the very communities he now seeks to save.”
Pitfall
It was ironic that it rained on my wedding day.
It was unfortunate that it rained on my wedding day.
Many people use 'ironic' to mean 'unlucky' or 'coincidental', but strictly it should describe a reversal of expectations, like a fire station burning down.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02sarcastic or mocking
C1 · Advanced Formal
adj. using words that mean the opposite of what you really want to say, usually to be funny or unkind.
adj. relating to verbal irony; expressing meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect.
“He gave an ironic smile when I told him I was finally on time.”
“The critic's ironic tone suggested that he found the play's supposed 'deep meaning' to be nothing more than pretentious nonsense.”
03unserious or detached
C1 · Advanced Informal
adj. doing something in a way that shows you are not being serious or that you are making fun of it.
adj. characterised by a detached, teasing, or unserious attitude toward a subject or activity.
“She wears that old-fashioned hat in an ironic way to look cool.”
“The band's ironic performance of the cheesy pop song was a hit with the younger audience who understood the joke.”
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “ironic” in context.
Verb
01. become ironic
“His earlier warnings about the economy have now become ironic given his own financial troubles.”
verb + adj
02. find the situation ironic
“Most observers found the situation ironic, as the police station was robbed during the annual gala.”
verb + noun + adj
Adjective
03. ironic detachment
“He spoke about his failures with a sense of ironic detachment to hide his true pain.”
adj + noun
04. ironic that the project failed
“It seems ironic that the project failed despite having the largest budget in the company's history.”
adj + that-clause
05. ironic twist of fate
“In an ironic twist of fate, the man who invented the safety device was injured by it.”
adj + noun + prep + noun
Adverb
06. bitterly ironic
“The fact that he died in a car accident just after winning a safety award was bitterly ironic.”
adv + adj
07. deeply ironic
“It is deeply ironic that the environmental activist was caught driving a gas-guzzling SUV.”
adv + adj
Real-World Examples
“Niu Lai's confusing plot and laughable animation quality has won ironic fans on the internet.” “Wells’ 1898 The War of the Worlds , which can be read as an ironic reversal of many of the motifs of classic invasion fiction.” Etymology
Borrowed from Late Latin īrōnicus, from Ancient Greek εἰρωνικός (eirōnikós). Compare Middle French, ironique, equivalent to irony + -ic.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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