ironically
eye-RO-nihk-lee
Ironically (adv) means In a way that involves irony; used to point out the ironic aspect of something being described. Example: “Ironically, the security guard's own car got broken into.”
adv
1
In a way that involves irony; used to point out the ironic aspect of something being described.
"Ironically, the automated checkout system ended up costing more in repairs than the workers it was meant to replace."
"Ironically, the security guard's own car got broken into."
"She spoke ironically, clearly not meaning what she said."
"My colleague ironically avoids doctors like the plague!"
"Ironically, the fire station was the only building on the street without a smoke alarm."
How to use ironically
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsed to flag that what follows is ironic — a twist that contradicts what you'd expect.
Common pairings
ironically enough
ironically, ...
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more ironically
- Superlative
- most ironically
Fill the gap
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_____, the security guard's own car got broken into.
Etymology
From ironic plus the adverb-forming suffix "-ally."
Rhymes for ironically
See all rhymes for ironically →Frequently asked questions
What does “ironically” mean?
The word “ironically” means in a way that involves irony; used to point out the ironic aspect of something being described. In plain terms, used to flag that what follows is ironic — a twist that contradicts what you'd expect.
How do you pronounce “ironically”?
“Ironically” is pronounced eye-RO-nihk-lee (/aɪˈɹɑnɪkli/ in IPA).
How do you use “ironically” in a sentence?
Here is “ironically” used in a sentence: “Ironically, the security guard's own car got broken into.”
What part of speech is “ironically”?
“Ironically” is an adverb.
Is “ironically” a common word?
“Ironically” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How is ironically used to introduce a sentence?
Ironically is often placed at the start of a sentence to flag that what follows involves an unexpected, opposite-of-expected turn of events. For example, "Ironically, the fire department's own building lacked smoke detectors."
What is the difference between ironically and interestingly?
Ironically specifically points out that an outcome is the opposite of what was expected or intended, while interestingly simply flags something noteworthy without that contrast. Using ironically incorrectly for something merely surprising or coincidental is a common mistake.
Is it a mistake to use ironically to mean coincidentally?
Yes, this is one of the most common misuses of the word. Ironically should describe an outcome that is the opposite of what was expected, not just an odd coincidence.
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