ironic

ironic — adjective

1. used to describe a situation that seems strange, amusing, or meaningful because

1.形容詞B2
釋義

used to describe a situation that seems strange, amusing, or meaningful because it turns out to be the opposite of what one would normally expect

例句

It was ironic that the fire station burned down while the firefighters were out on a call.

ironic + that-clause for situational contradiction

João found it ironic that his raincoat was stolen on the one sunny day of the week.

同義詞
  • paradoxical

    emphasises the logical contradiction rather than the amusing quality

  • incongruous

    more formal; focuses on the lack of fit between elements

  • unexpected

    broader in meaning; does not carry the implication of opposites

反義詞
  • expected

    the opposite of surprising or contradictory

  • predictable

    suggests an outcome that follows naturally from the situation

文法句型

it is ironic + that-clause

find it ironic + that-clause

用法筆記

Frequently used in the pattern 'it is ironic that…' to introduce a surprising outcome. The situation itself is described as ironic, not a person — you would not say 'he is ironic' to mean the situation is ironic.

常見錯誤

❌It was ironic that I missed the bus this morning.
✅It was ironic that the bus driver's own bus broke down on the way to work.
💡A situation is ironic only when the outcome clearly contradicts what was expected, not when something merely inconvenient happens.

2. describing a way of speaking in which someone says something that is clearly the

2.形容詞B2
釋義

describing a way of speaking in which someone says something that is clearly the reverse of what they genuinely intend to communicate, often for humorous or critical effect

例句

"Oh great, another meeting," Léa said in an ironic tone after the third meeting that day.

collocation: ironic tone

Felix gave an ironic smile and replied, "Yes, I just love getting stuck in traffic."

同義詞
  • sarcastic

    sharper and more directly hurtful; intended to mock a person

  • wry

    quieter and more resigned; expresses dry amusement

  • sardonic

    more cynical and scornful in tone; often bitter

反義詞
  • sincere

    expressing genuine feelings rather than the opposite

  • straightforward

    saying exactly what you mean, without hidden meaning

文法句型

ironic + noun (comment, tone, smile)

ironic about + noun/gerund

用法筆記

Often describes a person's tone, smile, or choice of words rather than a situation. Commonly confused with sarcastic, though ironic remarks may be gentler and less personally targeted than sarcastic ones.

常見錯誤

❌She made an ironic mistake in her essay.
✅She made an ironic comment about the quality of the food.
💡This sense of 'ironic' describes the way someone speaks or behaves, not a type of error or accident.