ironic
eye-RON-ihk
Ironic (adj) means involving irony — meaning, or resulting in, the opposite of what was expected or intended. Example: “It was ironic that the fire station itself burned down.”
adj
1
Involving irony — meaning, or resulting in, the opposite of what was expected or intended.
"It was ironic that the fire station itself burned down."
"He made an ironic comment that only his close friends understood as a joke."
"It is ironic that the dentist has terrible teeth."
How to use ironic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes a situation, or a remark, where the result or meaning is the opposite of what you'd expect.
Common mistake
"Ironic" doesn't just mean "coincidental" or "unlucky" — a plain coincidence isn't automatically ironic unless there's a clash between expectation and reality.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
ironic twist
how ironic
ironic tone
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more ironic
- Superlative
- most ironic
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
It was _____ that the fire station itself burned down.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek εἰρωνικός (eirōnikós), via Latin īrōnicus.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for ironic
See all rhymes for ironic →Frequently asked questions
What does “ironic” mean?
The word “ironic” means involving irony — meaning, or resulting in, the opposite of what was expected or intended. In plain terms, describes a situation, or a remark, where the result or meaning is the opposite of what you'd expect.
How do you pronounce “ironic”?
“Ironic” is pronounced eye-RON-ihk (/aɪˈɹɑ.nɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “ironic” in a sentence?
Here is “ironic” used in a sentence: “It was ironic that the fire station itself burned down.”
What is another word for “ironic”?
Words with a similar meaning to “ironic” include ironical.
What part of speech is “ironic”?
“Ironic” is an adjective.
Where does the word “ironic” come from?
The word “ironic” comes from Ancient Greek. From Ancient Greek εἰρωνικός (eirōnikós), via Latin īrōnicus.
Is “ironic” a common word?
“Ironic” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
What is the difference between ironic and coincidental?
Something ironic involves a result or meaning that is the opposite of what was expected or intended, while a coincidence is simply an unplanned event happening at the same time as another. Not every coincidence is ironic; irony requires a contrast between expectation and outcome.
What is the difference between ironic and sarcastic?
Ironic describes a situation or statement where the outcome or meaning is the opposite of what was expected, while sarcastic specifically describes speech intended to mock or criticise through that opposite meaning. Sarcasm is one deliberate use of irony in speech, but irony itself can occur without anyone intending it.
Can a situation be ironic without anyone saying anything?
Yes, irony can describe a situation or event, not just a statement, where the actual outcome is the opposite of what was expected. For example, a fire station burning down would be considered ironic.
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