ENGLISH
REFERENCE

ironically

adv. sent.
C1 Advanced Oxford US //aɪˈɹɑnɪkɫi// UK //aɪɹˈɒnɪkli// iron·i·cal·ly

adv. in a way that is strange or funny because the result is the opposite of what you expected. You use it to point out a surprising coincidence.

adv. in a manner that suggests an incongruity between what might be expected and what actually occurs. Often used as a sentence modifier to comment on a paradoxical situation.


SIMPLE

Ironically, the fire station burned down yesterday.

CONTEXTUAL

Ironically, the software designed to save time ended up causing hours of extra work due to its complex interface.

COMPLEX

Ironically, the very policies intended to protect the local industry led to its decline by discouraging the innovation necessary to compete in a global market.

Origin

From ironic + -ally.

Usage

When modifying a whole sentence, it is usually followed by a comma at the start of the clause.

Pitfall

It is ironically that he failed.Ironically, he failed.Learners sometimes try to use it as a predicative adjective phrase rather than a sentence-modifying adverb.

© 2026 English Reference