ironic

Everyday

1. Strange or funny because it is the opposite of what you would expect, as in «It's ironic that the fire station burned down». tree →
2. Saying the opposite of what you mean as a joke, as in an ironic «Great weather!» when it rains. tree →

In the lessons

In English lessons: irony in stories and poems — the reader knows something characters don't (dramatic irony). In everyday talk: people say «ironic» for jokes that mean the opposite. It tells the reader there is a twist.

Examples

• It's ironic that the swimming teacher can't swim. tree →
• «Lovely day,» he said in an ironic voice as it poured. tree →
• It was ironic that the alarm clock made him late. tree →
• Her ironic comment made us laugh. tree →
• The story ends in an ironic twist. tree →
• It's ironic that the «No Litter» sign was lying on the ground. tree →

Note

Noun: irony; adverb: ironically. Trap: «ironic» is not the same as just bad luck or a coincidence — it needs a twist against expectation. It has nothing to do with iron the metal.