ironic

ironic — adjective

1. used to describe a situation that seems strange, amusing, or meaningful because

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

used to describe a situation that seems strange, amusing, or meaningful because it turns out to be the opposite of what one would normally expect

Example

It was ironic that the fire station burned down while the firefighters were out on a call.

ironic + that-clause for situational contradiction

João found it ironic that his raincoat was stolen on the one sunny day of the week.

Common collocations
  • ironic twist
  • ironic turn of events
  • deeply ironic
  • sadly ironic
Synonyms
  • paradoxical

    emphasises the logical contradiction rather than the amusing quality

  • incongruous

    more formal; focuses on the lack of fit between elements

  • unexpected

    broader in meaning; does not carry the implication of opposites

Antonyms
  • expected

    the opposite of surprising or contradictory

  • predictable

    suggests an outcome that follows naturally from the situation

Grammar Patterns

it is ironic + that-clause

find it ironic + that-clause

Usage Note

Frequently used in the pattern 'it is ironic that…' to introduce a surprising outcome. The situation itself is described as ironic, not a person — you would not say 'he is ironic' to mean the situation is ironic.

Common Mistakes

It was ironic that I missed the bus this morning.
It was ironic that the bus driver's own bus broke down on the way to work.
A situation is ironic only when the outcome clearly contradicts what was expected, not when something merely inconvenient happens.

2. describing a way of speaking in which someone says something that is clearly the

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

describing a way of speaking in which someone says something that is clearly the reverse of what they genuinely intend to communicate, often for humorous or critical effect

Example

"Oh great, another meeting," Léa said in an ironic tone after the third meeting that day.

collocation: ironic tone

Felix gave an ironic smile and replied, "Yes, I just love getting stuck in traffic."

Common collocations
  • ironic comment
  • ironic tone
  • ironic smile
  • dryly ironic
  • ironic humour
Synonyms
  • sarcastic

    sharper and more directly hurtful; intended to mock a person

  • wry

    quieter and more resigned; expresses dry amusement

  • sardonic

    more cynical and scornful in tone; often bitter

Antonyms
  • sincere

    expressing genuine feelings rather than the opposite

  • straightforward

    saying exactly what you mean, without hidden meaning

Grammar Patterns

ironic + noun (comment, tone, smile)

ironic about + noun/gerund

Usage Note

Often describes a person's tone, smile, or choice of words rather than a situation. Commonly confused with sarcastic, though ironic remarks may be gentler and less personally targeted than sarcastic ones.

Common Mistakes

She made an ironic mistake in her essay.
She made an ironic comment about the quality of the food.
This sense of 'ironic' describes the way someone speaks or behaves, not a type of error or accident.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/2

Both 'ironic' (verbal sense) and 'sarcastic' involve saying the opposite of what you mean. 'Sarcastic' is sharper and is usually intended to mock or hurt someone directly. 'Ironic' can be gentler — it points out a contradiction without necessarily targeting a person. 'Wry' describes a quiet, clever humour that recognises life's contradictions without aggression. For example, calling a terrible meal 'a culinary masterpiece' could be sarcastic (mocking the chef) or ironic (amused by the gap between the meal and the label), depending on the speaker's tone. A wry remark would be more resigned: 'Well, at least the bread was fresh.'

sarcastic ↗ironic ↗wry

Common collocations

Adverbs

Phrases

  • find it ironic that
  • it is ironic that

Etymology

GreekLatinFrenchEnglish

From Greek 'eirōneia' (dissimulation, feigned ignorance), via Latin 'ironia' and French 'ironique'. Originally referred to a rhetorical trick of saying the opposite of what one meant. The broader sense of 'situational contradiction' developed in the 19th century.