Language
What is Irony?
Irony is a contrast between what is expected and what actually happens, or between what is said and what is meant. From a fire station burning down to saying 'lovely weather' during a storm, irony highlights a gap between appearance and reality.
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Watch a 2-minute lesson with voice + animation that explains irony.
Key things to understand
- 1It hinges on a gap between expectation and reality, or words and meaning.
- 2Verbal irony: saying the opposite of what you mean (often sarcasm).
- 3Situational irony: an outcome that's the opposite of what's expected.
- 4Dramatic irony: the audience knows something the characters don't.
- 5It's often confused with coincidence, but true irony involves a pointed contrast.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the main types of irony?
- Verbal (saying the opposite of what you mean), situational (an outcome opposite to what's expected), and dramatic (the audience knows what a character doesn't).
- What's an example of irony?
- A traffic cop getting a parking ticket, or saying 'great timing!' when someone arrives late — the reality clashes with the expectation.
- Is irony the same as sarcasm?
- Sarcasm is a sharp, often mocking form of verbal irony. All sarcasm is ironic, but not all irony is sarcastic.