irony

Pronunciation

Noun

• (UK)
  • IPA ^(key): /ˈaɪə.rən.i/
  • SAMPA: /"aI@.r@n.I/
• (US)
  • IPA ^(key): /ˈaɪ.rə.ni/
  • SAMPA: /"aI.r@.nI/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Adjective

• (UK)
  • IPA ^(key): /ˈaɪə.ni/
  • SAMPA: /"aI@.nI/
• (US)
  • IPA ^(key): /ˈaɪ.ɚ.ni/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

Singular irony

Plural ironies

1. (uncountable) Irony is something which means opposite of what it says literally; it is generally used humorously.
2. (countable & uncountable) An irony is the strange quality of a situation when something happens in an unexpected but connected way.

   The irony is that making kids sit in class is probably a bad way to make them learn.

   It would be ironic for Matt, being a professional gymnast, to die while jumping on the trampoline.

Related words

• ironic

Adjective

Positive irony

Comparative more irony

Superlative most irony

1. If something is irony, it has to do with the metal iron.
   • Synonyms: ferric and ferrous

   This food has an irony taste to it.