irony

irony — noun

1. An outcome that sharply contradicts what was expected or intended, often in a st

1.名詞B2
釋義

An outcome that sharply contradicts what was expected or intended, often in a strangely fitting or unfair way — for example, a security company whose own office is burgled.

例句

Takeshi saw the irony of his punctuality speech being delayed by a flat tyre.

pattern: the irony of [noun] + being + past participle

There was a bitter irony in the fire station Charlotte wrote about in her column having burned down.

pattern: There + be + irony in [noun phrase] + -ing

同義詞
  • contradiction

    a direct logical opposition between statements; stronger and less about fate than irony

  • incongruity

    broader — anything that does not fit together, not necessarily expectation-vs-reality

  • paradox

    a self-contradictory statement that may reveal a truth; less about unexpected outcomes and more about logical tension

反義詞

文法句型

the irony (of something) is that...

there is irony in...

it is ironic that...

用法筆記

Often introduced by the structure 'the irony of [something] is that...' or 'there is irony in...'. Learners commonly confuse this sense with mere coincidence or bad luck — irony requires a meaningful contrast between intention or expectation and the actual outcome.

常見錯誤

❌It was an irony that he lost his wallet at the bank.
✅There was a certain irony in his losing his wallet at the bank.
💡Irony is uncountable; use 'there is irony in...' or 'it is ironic that...' rather than 'an irony'.
❌I missed the bus — what an irony!
✅I missed the bus
💡what a coincidence!' — Missing a bus is unfortunate but not ironic, because there is no meaningful contrast between expectation and outcome.

2. expressing one thing while meaning the exact opposite, typically as humour or cr

2.名詞B2
釋義

expressing one thing while meaning the exact opposite, typically as humour or criticism — for example, calling a very badly behaved dog 'a perfect angel'.

例句

When Zola called the terrible film 'a masterpiece', her friends recognised her irony immediately.

verbal irony signalled by quotation marks

Maeve's voice was dripping with irony as she thanked the waiter for the burnt steak.

collocation: dripping with irony

同義詞
  • sarcasm

    sharper and intended to hurt or mock; irony can be gentle

  • wit

    broader — clever or humorous expression, not necessarily involving opposite meaning

  • satire

    a larger work or genre that criticises through humour; not a single remark

反義詞
  • sincerity

    saying what you genuinely mean without double meaning

  • literalness

    using words in their exact sense without implied opposite meaning

文法句型

say something with irony

in [someone's] voice/tone

dripping with irony

用法筆記

Relies on tone of voice, context, or quotation marks to signal the opposite meaning. Not the same as sarcasm — sarcasm deliberately aims to hurt or mock, whereas verbal irony can be gentle or playful.

常見錯誤

❌I hate this weather — what irony!
✅I hate this weather
💡what a coincidence!' — Saying you hate rainy weather when it is actually raining is not irony; it is simply stating your feelings.
❌His sarcasm was very funny.' (when the speaker means verbal irony)
✅His irony was very funny.
💡Sarcasm has a sharper, hurtful edge; irony can be humorous without intending to wound.