irony

Irony is a rhetorical device and a literary technique in which the intended meaning differs from the literal or expected meaning. It involves a discrepancy between appearances and reality, or between what is expected to happen and what actually occurs. Irony can appear in language, events, or in the audience’s knowledge, and it can be intentional or unintentional.

The main forms are verbal irony, dramatic irony, and situational irony. A less common variant is cosmic irony, or irony of fate, in which larger forces seem to thwart human plans.

Verbal irony occurs when what is said is opposite to what is meant. For example, describing a disappointing situation as “wonderful” or “great” is verbal irony, often with a sharp or mocking tone. Verbal irony is related to sarcasm, though sarcasm carries a more cutting intent.

Dramatic irony arises when the audience knows information that a character does not, creating tension or humor as the character behaves in light of incomplete knowledge. Classic examples appear in plays and films where audiences anticipate consequences that characters do not.

Situational irony occurs when outcomes defy expectations or norms, such as a fire station being burned by a fire or a safety measure failing in an unexpected way.

Originating from the Greek word eirōneía, meaning feigned ignorance or irony, the term entered English through classical rhetoric. In modern usage, irony remains a flexible tool for humor, critique, and social commentary, and it can be intentional or accidental. It is distinct from, yet often related to, sarcasm and satire.