Irony

Friday 7^th October 2016

Irony /ˈʌɪrəni/

Noun

1.    The expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect.

2.    A state of affairs or an event that seems deliberately contrary to what one expects and is often wryly amusing as a result.

3.    A literary technique, originally used in Greek tragedy, by which the full significance of a character's words or actions is clear to the audience or reader although unknown to the character.

Adjective

Of or like iron.

Example sentences

Noun

‘‘Don't go overboard with the gratitude,’ he rejoined with heavy irony’

‘The irony is that I thought he could help me’

‘One of life's little ironies’

Adjective

‘An irony grey colour’

Origin

Early 16th century (also denoting Socratic irony): via Latin from Greek eirōneia simulated ignorance, from eirōn dissembler.

Thanks to: www.oxforddictionaries.com