ironic

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'ironic' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or circumstance where the outcome is very different from what would be expected or what you would normally expect. For example: "It was ironic that despite studying for days, he failed the exam".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Samantha Power, the US ambassador to the UN, said it was "ironic to say the least" that Russia produced the motion at the same time as it was "backing an all-out assault" in Ukraine despite the ceasefire.

The Guardian

Congress won't have access to the TPP before it is signed, and the terms won't be publicly disclosed – ironic since the negotiations include 600 corporate advisers, including representatives of Halliburton and Caterpillar.

The Guardian - Business

What makes that particularly ironic is that David Cameron is claiming that in contrast to Ukip, his party stand for "engagement in Europe".

The Guardian

Officials deleted the original message, stating that it "was meant to be ironic".

The Guardian - Music

Creativity is now a byword for ideas refracted in the lens of ironic self-reference.

The Guardian - Business

There was an ironic footnote to Berger's carefully chosen words.

The Guardian - Sport

The ironic thing about this photo is that I HATE guns.

The Guardian

He explains how he'd wanted it to be more bad-taste leatherette-ish (perhaps he feared it might be judged naive rather than ironic).

The Guardian

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 1.05pm AEST02:05 Possibly an ironic tweet... — Mark Di Stefano (@MarkDiStef) January 26 , 2014Cat Empire - Josh Pyke - John Butler = "real Australia" Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 1.04pm AEST02:04 It's the John Butler Trio with Only One!

The Guardian

It's ironic really that it should fall to Carr to tell the actual story, given he was one of the "great men" of politics – a player permitted to float over the top.

The Guardian

It's like when tragic alcoholic David Hasselhoff rebranded himself as ironic superstar The Hoff and instantly became a bulletproof cultural touchstone.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ironic" to highlight situations where there is a contrast between what is expected and what actually occurs. This adds depth and can create a humorous or thought-provoking effect.

Common error

Avoid using "ironic" simply to describe an unfortunate or coincidental event. True irony involves a deeper contrast or reversal of expectations, not just bad luck.

Linguistic Context

The word "ironic" functions primarily as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe a situation, event, or statement characterized by irony. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "ironic" is a grammatically sound adjective used to describe situations marked by a contrast between expectation and reality. According to Ludwig AI, it's widely used and understood. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, "ironic" serves to highlight the unexpected or contradictory aspects of events, often with humorous or critical intent. While alternatives like "paradoxical" or "coincidental" exist, "ironic" is best suited for scenarios where the outcome is strikingly different from what was anticipated, avoiding mere misfortune or chance occurrences. Its frequent use and clarity make it a valuable tool for precise and engaging communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

paradoxical

Emphasizes the self-contradictory nature of a situation or statement.

contradictory

Stresses the element of direct opposition or inconsistency.

incongruous

Emphasizes the lack of harmony or compatibility.

satirical

Focuses on the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices.

incongruent

Highlights that things are out of place or not suitable.

wry

Implies a dry, mocking humor.

mocking

Highlights the act of ridiculing or making fun of something.

absurd

Highlights the ridiculous or nonsensical nature of a situation.

coincidental

Highlights the chance occurrence of events rather than the contradictory nature.

unexpected

Focuses on the surprise element of an event or situation.

FAQs

How do you use "ironic" in a sentence?

Use "ironic" to describe a situation where the outcome is the opposite of what was expected or intended. For example: "It's "ironic" that a fire station burned down."

What can I say instead of "ironic"?

You can use alternatives like "paradoxical", "coincidental", or "satirical" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "ironic" and "coincidental"?

"Ironic" implies a contrast between expectation and reality, often with an element of humor or poignancy. "Coincidental" simply means that two or more things happen at the same time by chance, without any inherent contradiction.

Is it correct to say "ironic, isn't it?"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct and a common way to express that you find a situation to be ironic. It's often used as a rhetorical question to invite agreement from the listener.