irony

USAGE SUMMARY

'irony' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when a seemingly positive situation has a hidden, negative outcome. For example, "I bought a new car, but it broke down on the way home - what an ironic turn of events!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But any irony involved in a coalition government that came to power pledging to scrap identity cards introducing a system of foreign residence permits will be lost as the political parties indulge in "a race to the bottom" over immigration.

The Guardian

"The irony is," says Rachel, "that the battle wasn't at all glorious: it was a failure.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There was nonetheless a historical irony in watching Ukrainians tearing down Lenin's statues as a sign of their will to break with Soviet domination and assert their national sovereignty.

The Guardian

So, in recent years, we've endured 60s, 70s and 80s revivals, punters encouraged to wear silly clothes, like silly music, and generally pretend that crap things were great, a dispiriting travesty of irony, meta-irony, disingenuousness and disingenuity.

The Guardian - Sport

Touitou recognises the irony of saying this as the head of a multinational fashion company.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

While it may have been radical for the Conservatives to choose a woman, from Heath's point of view the irony was that they had chosen another meritocrat.

The Guardian

(Indeed, it is a sad irony, unmentioned by those who advocate the repeal of this act that those with the most to lose are victims).

The Guardian - Opinion

Related: The Trans-Pacific Partnership suggests Obama has no sense of irony In late April, Obama angrily told reporters he was upset at those who called the Trans-Pacific pact a secret deal.

The Guardian

The irony is so obvious that even TUC leaders have spotted it.

The Guardian

A particularly tasty dish – a cordon bleu irony, an irony worthy of a rating from Michelin – is produced by the important contest to be the next leader of the scunnered Scottish Labour party.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is surely a supreme irony that the Irish government, the opposition in the Dáil and the trade unions would dearly love more time to drive down the country's unprecedented national debt from over 30% today to around 3% of Irish GDP.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "irony" to add depth to your writing by highlighting contradictions between expectations and reality. This makes your narrative more engaging and thought-provoking.

Common error

Avoid using "irony" when you simply mean coincidence. "Irony" involves a contrast between what is said and what is meant, or between what is expected and what actually occurs, while coincidence is merely a surprising concurrence of events.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "irony" is as a noun, referring to a situation or statement characterized by a significant difference between appearance and reality. Ludwig shows that "irony" is employed to denote a contrast between what is said and what is actually meant.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Opinion

25%

Lifestyle

15%

Less common in

Film

5%

Sport

3%

Music

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "irony" functions as a noun denoting a contrast between expectation and reality. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English, highlighting its application in various contexts to add depth and meaning. While commonly mistaken for mere coincidence, "irony" serves to emphasize discrepancies, often for humorous or critical effect. It is essential to distinguish "irony" from sarcasm, which is a more pointed form of mockery. The term appears frequently in news, opinion pieces, and lifestyle articles, solidifying its place as a valuable tool in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sarcasm

Focuses on the use of mockery, often with the intent to wound.

satire

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

paradox

Highlights a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated may prove to be well founded or true.

contradiction

Refers to a direct opposition between things; inconsistency.

mockery

Focuses on contemptuous or humiliating imitation.

incongruity

Highlights the state of being not in harmony or keeping with the surrounding aspects.

wryness

Emphasizes a dry, mocking humor.

wit

Focuses on keen intelligence or inventiveness, especially with the ability to express humor.

double entendre

Highlights a word or phrase open to two interpretations, one of which is usually risqué or indecent.

hyperbole

Emphasizes exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.

FAQs

How do you use "irony" in a sentence?

Use "irony" to describe a situation where there is a contrast between expectation and reality, or when someone says one thing but means another. For example, "There was a certain "gentle irony" about that".

What's the difference between "irony" and sarcasm?

"Irony" is a broader literary device that involves a discrepancy between what is said and what is actually meant, or between what is expected and what occurs. Sarcasm, on the other hand, is a form of "mockery" that uses "irony" to convey contempt.

What can I say instead of "irony"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "sarcasm", "satire", "paradox", or "contradiction". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. Consider phrases such as "cruel irony", "bitter irony", or even "historical irony".

Is it correct to say "ironic" when something is simply unfortunate?

While it's common in casual conversation, using "ironic" to describe something that is merely unfortunate is not technically correct. "Irony" involves a deeper contrast, not just bad luck. Something coincidental or unfortunate may be better described as "unfortunate".