| English Dictionary |
IRONIC
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
| IPA (US): |  |
Dictionary entry overview: What does ironic mean?
• IRONIC (adjective)
The adjective IRONIC has 2 senses:
1. humorously sarcastic or mocking
2. characterized by often poignant difference or incongruity between what is expected and what actually is
Familiarity information: IRONIC used as an adjective is rare.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
Humorously sarcastic or mocking
Synonyms:
Context example:
with a wry Scottish wit
Similar:
humorous; humourous (full of or characterized by humor)
Derivation:
irony (witty language used to convey insults or scorn)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Characterized by often poignant difference or incongruity between what is expected and what actually is
Synonyms:
ironic; ironical
Context example:
it was ironical that the well-planned scheme failed so completely
Similar:
incongruous (lacking in harmony or compatibility or appropriateness)
Derivation:
irony (incongruity between what might be expected and what actually occurs)
irony (a trope that involves incongruity between what is expected and what occurs)
| Learn English with... Proverbs |
"Drop by drop - a whole lake becomes." (Bulgarian proverb)
"God helps those who help themselves." (Arabic proverb)
"If your friend is like honey, don't eat it all." (Egyptian proverb)