irony
Irony is a literary and rhetorical device where there is a contrast between expectations and reality, or between what is said and what is meant. Imagine a fire station burning down—it is the exact opposite of what you would expect to happen, creating a sense of grim humor or intellectual distance. In casual conversation, it is often used to describe situations that are amusingly contrary to what was intended. While often confused with sarcasm, irony is broader; it describes the situation itself, whereas sarcasm is a specific, biting way of using irony to mock or convey contempt.
In conversation
Discussing a rainy vacation
Of course it started pouring the second we arrived at the beach.
Of course it started pouring the second we arrived at the beach.
The irony is that we checked the forecast and it said 'sunny all week'.
The irony is that we checked the forecast and it said 'sunny all week'.
Using 'irony' to highlight a frustrating contradiction.
Watching a movie
The main character spends the whole film trying to avoid his fate, only to cause it.
The main character spends the whole film trying to avoid his fate, only to cause it.
Classic dramatic irony.
Classic dramatic irony.
Refers to when the audience knows something the character does not.
Examples
The irony of the situation was not lost on him.
The irony of the situation was not lost on him.
It is a cruel irony that he worked so hard to buy a car, only to lose his license the next day.
It is a cruel irony that he worked so hard to buy a car, only to lose his license the next day.
The author employs biting irony to critique the social norms of the Victorian era.
The author employs biting irony to critique the social norms of the Victorian era.
