26984 words

irony

5 definitions • 4 examples
1
a situation in which something which was intended to have a particular result has the opposite or a very different result:

Examples:

The irony (of it) is that the new tax system will burden those it was intended to help.
2
the use of words that are the opposite of what you mean, as a way of being funny:

Examples:

Her voice heavy with irony, Simone said, "We're so pleased you were able to stay so long." (= Her voice made it obvious they were not pleased.)
3
a type of usually humorous expression in which you say the opposite of what you intend:

Examples:

[ U ] He had a powerful sense of irony, and you could never be absolutely sure when he was serious.
4
Irony is also something that has a different or opposite result from what is expected:

Examples:

[ C ] It is one of the ironies of life that by the time you have earned enough money for the things you always wanted, you no longer have the energy to enjoy them.
5
Irony is a style of writing in which there is a noticeable, often humorous, difference between what is said and the intended meaning.

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