Ironic
adjective
A situation is called ironic if it's opposite of what was expected.
It's ironic that he forgot his wedding anniversary when he's always reminding others to remember theirs
Often appears as...
- dramatically ironic
- situational ironic
adjective
When you say something ironic, you say the opposite of what you mean, especially as a way of being funny.
He made an ironic joke about how 'fun' tidying up the house is
Often appears as...
- ironic comment
- ironic remark
Usage tips
Colloquial
adjective
Using words to express something different from their literal meaning or from what you really feel, often in a humorous way.
She has an ironic sense of humor
Often appears as...
- ironic smile
- ironic laugh
adjective
A situation is called ironic if it's opposite of what was expected.
It's ironic that he forgot his wedding anniversary when he's always reminding others to remember theirs
Often appears as...
- dramatically ironic
- situational ironic
adjective
When you say something ironic, you say the opposite of what you mean, especially as a way of being funny.
He made an ironic joke about how 'fun' tidying up the house is
Often appears as...
- ironic comment
- ironic remark
Usage tips
Colloquial
adjective
Using words to express something different from their literal meaning or from what you really feel, often in a humorous way.
She has an ironic sense of humor
Often appears as...
- ironic smile
- ironic laugh
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Expectation Mismatch
Use 'ironic' to highlight gaps between expectations and reality, often with a twist of fate.
It's ironic how the lifeguard needed to be rescued.
Pro Tip 2/3Unintended Outcome
Ironic situations can involve actions that inadvertently produce the opposite of what was intended.
He locked his keys in his car at the locksmith convention; that's ironic.
Pro Tip 3/3Literary Device
'Ironic' is often used in literature to create contrast and provoke thought by defying expectations.
It was ironic in the story that the fire station burned down.
Pro Tip 1/3Expectation Mismatch
Use 'ironic' to highlight gaps between expectations and reality, often with a twist of fate.
It's ironic how the lifeguard needed to be rescued.
Pro Tip 2/3Unintended Outcome
Ironic situations can involve actions that inadvertently produce the opposite of what was intended.
He locked his keys in his car at the locksmith convention; that's ironic.
Pro Tip 3/3Literary Device
'Ironic' is often used in literature to create contrast and provoke thought by defying expectations.
It was ironic in the story that the fire station burned down.
Pro Tip 1/3Expectation Mismatch
Use 'ironic' to highlight gaps between expectations and reality, often with a twist of fate.
It's ironic how the lifeguard needed to be rescued.
Pro Tip 2/3Unintended Outcome
Ironic situations can involve actions that inadvertently produce the opposite of what was intended.
He locked his keys in his car at the locksmith convention; that's ironic.
Pro Tip 3/3Literary Device
'Ironic' is often used in literature to create contrast and provoke thought by defying expectations.
It was ironic in the story that the fire station burned down.
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Video examples
Paper towns and why...
And because I'm in comments usually, I get to participate with you. And you find this whether it's world history, or mathematics, or science, or whatever it is. You also see young people using the tools and the sort of genres of the Internet in order to create places for intellectual engagement, instead of the ironic detachment
Video examples
Why we need to talk...
We are so, so, so accepting of any body part breaking down other than our brains. And that's ignorance. That's pure ignorance, and that ignorance has created a world that doesn't understand depression, that doesn't understand mental health. And that's ironic to me, because depression
Video examples
What is verbal irony? -...
now that is just harsh and verbally ironic because what you said is not what you meant. That is verbal irony. You have said the opposite of what you mean. Additionally, since you have the intention of mocking this poor person, you have not only been verbally ironic,
Video examples
Situational irony: The...
to post pictures of her dentures or her grandkids, irony ensues. Reasonable expectations of the situation are not met. That is irony. So while the cake dropper might not be ironic, there are all kinds of situations in life that are.
Video examples
Saving Hawaii’s Birds...
The problem is we're still probably a couple of years out, Both on the science front and on the public approval. Endangered species are protected. It seems a bit ironic, but sometimes you also move more slowly to protect them.
Video examples
Sting: How I started...
for a while or saw the world through his eyes? Well they say, write what you know. If you can't write about yourself anymore, then who do you write about? So it's ironic that the landscape I'd worked so hard to escape from,
Video examples
This ancient rock is...
Unfortunately, the ironic twist here could see the demise of humanity. And so maybe the reason we aren't connecting with life elsewhere, intelligent life elsewhere, is that once it evolves, it extinguishes itself quickly.
Video examples
The danger of hiding who...
to try to make a difference. How ironic that I work in human resources, a profession that works to welcome, connect and encourage the development of employees, a profession that advocates that the diversity of society
Video examples
Tim Cope: On the Trail...
their animals and an environment for their own convenience in a similar vein I felt it ironic that many times on my own journey people had pitied me for living on out in the elements the truth was that after
Video examples
Computing with fluids PIPE...
go and now I'm gonna just play with it a little bit you know why stop at green let's add some color to it literally and I'm sure you've all played with water and food coloring before the ironic
Video examples
Paper towns and why...
And because I'm in comments usually, I get to participate with you. And you find this whether it's world history, or mathematics, or science, or whatever it is. You also see young people using the tools and the sort of genres of the Internet in order to create places for intellectual engagement, instead of the ironic detachment
Video examples
Why we need to talk...
We are so, so, so accepting of any body part breaking down other than our brains. And that's ignorance. That's pure ignorance, and that ignorance has created a world that doesn't understand depression, that doesn't understand mental health. And that's ironic to me, because depression
Video examples
What is verbal irony? -...
now that is just harsh and verbally ironic because what you said is not what you meant. That is verbal irony. You have said the opposite of what you mean. Additionally, since you have the intention of mocking this poor person, you have not only been verbally ironic,
Video examples
Situational irony: The...
to post pictures of her dentures or her grandkids, irony ensues. Reasonable expectations of the situation are not met. That is irony. So while the cake dropper might not be ironic, there are all kinds of situations in life that are.
Video examples
Saving Hawaii’s Birds...
The problem is we're still probably a couple of years out, Both on the science front and on the public approval. Endangered species are protected. It seems a bit ironic, but sometimes you also move more slowly to protect them.
Video examples
Sting: How I started...
for a while or saw the world through his eyes? Well they say, write what you know. If you can't write about yourself anymore, then who do you write about? So it's ironic that the landscape I'd worked so hard to escape from,
Video examples
This ancient rock is...
Unfortunately, the ironic twist here could see the demise of humanity. And so maybe the reason we aren't connecting with life elsewhere, intelligent life elsewhere, is that once it evolves, it extinguishes itself quickly.
Video examples
The danger of hiding who...
to try to make a difference. How ironic that I work in human resources, a profession that works to welcome, connect and encourage the development of employees, a profession that advocates that the diversity of society
Video examples
Tim Cope: On the Trail...
their animals and an environment for their own convenience in a similar vein I felt it ironic that many times on my own journey people had pitied me for living on out in the elements the truth was that after
Video examples
Computing with fluids PIPE...
go and now I'm gonna just play with it a little bit you know why stop at green let's add some color to it literally and I'm sure you've all played with water and food coloring before the ironic
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Zach Woods
American Actor
Sometimes you'll see people give performances in comedy with an ironic detachment where they'll sort of be remarking on the character from outside of it. They're sort of commenting as they're playing the character. I think it's hard not to do that. I've certainly done that.
Quote examples
Heather Mac Donald
American Editor
It is, at the very least, ironic that we are requiring men to behave with more respect for female sensibilities at the same time that the combat gender-integrators are insisting that women on the frontlines will be and should be given no special consideration.
Quote examples
Noam Chomsky
American Activist
It is pretty ironic that the so-called 'least advanced' people are the ones taking the lead in trying to protect all of us, while the richest and most powerful among us are the ones who are trying to drive the society to destruction.
Quote examples
Malcolm Fraser
Australian Politician
It is ironic in today's world, but the core values, the protection of the law which we had thought to be universally accepted, has been seriously breached by the war on terrorism.
Quote examples
Rihanna
American Musician
At first, I didn't really use anything in the social network world. I was so anti-social network, which is kind of ironic. I actually first started on a chat room on my fan site.
Quote examples
Eva Hesse
American Sculptor
Art is the easiest thing in my life, and that's ironic. It doesn't mean I've worked little on it, but it's the only thing I never had to... I have no fear. I could take risks.
Quote examples
Adam Grant
American Author
It's ironic that when you go through a tragedy, you appreciate more. You realize how fragile life is and that there are so many things to still be thankful for.
Quote examples
Rona Barrett
American Journalist
It's ironic, but until you can free those final monsters within the jungle of yourself, your life, your soul is up for grabs.
Quote examples
Nipsey Russell
American Comedian
Humor is based on the way a man looks at life's ironies, and being a member of a minority group can certainly be ironic.
Quote examples
Park Ji-sung
South Korean Athlete
I just want to be good at soccer and have a normal life; it is a little ironic that you can't have both.
Quote examples
Zach Woods
American Actor
Sometimes you'll see people give performances in comedy with an ironic detachment where they'll sort of be remarking on the character from outside of it. They're sort of commenting as they're playing the character. I think it's hard not to do that. I've certainly done that.
Quote examples
Heather Mac Donald
American Editor
It is, at the very least, ironic that we are requiring men to behave with more respect for female sensibilities at the same time that the combat gender-integrators are insisting that women on the frontlines will be and should be given no special consideration.
Quote examples
Noam Chomsky
American Activist
It is pretty ironic that the so-called 'least advanced' people are the ones taking the lead in trying to protect all of us, while the richest and most powerful among us are the ones who are trying to drive the society to destruction.
Quote examples
Malcolm Fraser
Australian Politician
It is ironic in today's world, but the core values, the protection of the law which we had thought to be universally accepted, has been seriously breached by the war on terrorism.
Quote examples
Rihanna
American Musician
At first, I didn't really use anything in the social network world. I was so anti-social network, which is kind of ironic. I actually first started on a chat room on my fan site.
Quote examples
Eva Hesse
American Sculptor
Art is the easiest thing in my life, and that's ironic. It doesn't mean I've worked little on it, but it's the only thing I never had to... I have no fear. I could take risks.
Quote examples
Adam Grant
American Author
It's ironic that when you go through a tragedy, you appreciate more. You realize how fragile life is and that there are so many things to still be thankful for.
Quote examples
Rona Barrett
American Journalist
It's ironic, but until you can free those final monsters within the jungle of yourself, your life, your soul is up for grabs.
Quote examples
Nipsey Russell
American Comedian
Humor is based on the way a man looks at life's ironies, and being a member of a minority group can certainly be ironic.
Quote examples
Park Ji-sung
South Korean Athlete
I just want to be good at soccer and have a normal life; it is a little ironic that you can't have both.
Example 1 of 10
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