# irony

/ˈaɪɹəni/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/irony
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. saying the opposite

noun · CEFR B2

a way of speaking where you say one thing but mean the opposite, often to be funny or show a point.

For teachers: the use of words to express something other than—and especially the opposite of—the literal meaning. Often used as a rhetorical device to highlight absurdity.

- "What a beautiful day," she said with irony as the rain poured down.
- The critic noted the heavy irony in the politician's speech, where he praised transparency while refusing to release his own financial records.

### 2. strange coincidence

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a situation that is strange or funny because things happen in a way that is the opposite of what you expected.

For teachers: situational irony involving a state of affairs or an event that seems deliberately contrary to what one expects and is often wryly amusing as a result.

- The irony of the situation was that the computer expert's own laptop broke.
- There is a profound irony in the fact that the most famous book on privacy was written by a man who shared every detail of his life online.

### 3. theatre/storytelling

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

when the audience watching a play or movie knows something important that the characters do not know.

For teachers: dramatic irony; a literary technique by which the full significance of a character's words or actions is clear to the audience or reader although unknown to the character.

- In the play, the irony is that we know the hero is walking into a trap, but he thinks he is safe.
- The director employs dramatic irony to build tension, allowing the audience to witness the villain's preparations while the protagonist remains blissfully unaware of the impending betrayal.

## Examples

- The irony is that the fire station burned down.
- It was a bitter irony that the famous marriage counselor ended up going through a messy divorce.
- The tragic irony of the play lies in the protagonist unknowingly fulfilling the very prophecy he fled his homeland to escape.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.