What Is Irony? (Definition with Examples)

Irony

Irony is when the reality of something is different to the expectation it generates. There are three types of irony:

irony examples
  • Verbal Irony. Verbal irony is an expression (often delivered sarcastically or humorously) to express the opposite of its literal meaning. (It is a synonym for sarcasm.)
    • Formal Definition of Verbal Irony

    Verbal irony is the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect. (Oxford Dictionary)
  • Dramatic Irony. Dramatic irony is an event the significance of which is known only to observers (typically, the audience) and not the participants (typically, the actors).
    • Formal Definition of Dramatic Irony

    Dramatic irony is 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. (Oxford Dictionary)
  • Situational Irony. Situational irony is an event that occurs seemingly in mockery of the circumstances.
    • Formal Definition of Situational Irony

    Situational irony is a state of affairs or an event that seems deliberately contrary to what one expects and is often wryly amusing as a result. (Oxford Dictionary)

Easy Examples of Irony

Here are some easy examples of the three different types of irony:

Verbal Irony:
  • That's just what I needed. (i.e., It isn't.)
  • I'm so glad it's raining. (i.e., I'm not.)
Dramatic Irony:
  • There's no evil witch here.
    • (A typical "behind you" moment in a pantomime is an example of dramatic irony.)
Situational Irony:
  • Let's examine the words hyphenated and non-hyphenated.
  • The most shoplifted book in America is the Bible.
  • Your the best English teacher ever.
    • (Should be you're.)

Yet More Examples of Irony...

Here are some more examples of irony:

Example of Verbal Irony

Verbal irony is like sarcasm.
  • "On a scale of 1 to 10, how old was Michael Jackson's boyfriend?"
    "Nice."
    • (Here, nice means not classy.)

Example of Dramatic Irony

Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows something the characters don't.
  • O my love, my wife! Death, that hath sucked the honey of thy breath hath had no power yet upon thy beauty. Thou art not conquered. Beauty’s ensign yet is crimson in thy lips and in thy cheeks. (Romeo Montague from William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet)
    • (Romeo wrongly believes Juliet is dead and prepares to take poison to join her.)

Examples of Situational Irony

Situational irony is an event that happens in mockery of the circumstances.
  • James Bellamy, who has campaigned for years against the Dangerous Dogs Act, was hospitalised after a vicious attack by his neighbour's dog.
  • Mr Paul Jones arrived too late to chair a town-planning meeting due to the roads being grid locked with traffic.

Why Should I Care about Irony?

If you're analysing someone else's writing and they've used irony, you ought to recognise it.

Remember that irony covers far more than just situational irony. Comments and events with a twist, an element of unexpectedness, or some malintent can usually be shoe-horned into one of the irony types. It is not uncommon for people to argue whether something is an example of irony.
How Ironic!

In the mid-90s, a few nerds enthusiastically claimed that the lyrics in Alanis Morissette's song "Ironic" contained no examples of irony, and, having been routinely lambasted for it, she admitted that the irony of "Ironic" was that it contained no irony at all. The real irony, however, is that it contains plenty of lines that could be classified as irony.

Key Point

  • The term irony covers far more than just situational irony.
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See Also

Glossary of grammatical terms