Words / B2

y-RON-ik/aɪˈrɒnɪk/

Ironic means using words that reverse your real meaning, or a situation that contradicts expectation: an ironic comment; it is ironic that… Sarcastic is harsher and more personal; coincidence is not irony. It is ironic that the punctuality lecture was late. Literature and speech. Do not label every unlucky event ironic (a common complaint in mark schemes).

Meaning

Using words that mean the opposite of what you say; also oddly contrary to what you expect.

Examples

• “It is ironic that the punctuality lecture started twenty minutes late.”
• “The ironic narrator undercuts the patriotic hymn, which is the literature sense.”

Good to know

it is ironic that; an ironic + noun. Harsher: sarcastic. Noun: irony. Literature and comment. Situational clash, not any misfortune.

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