IRONICAL

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does ironical mean? 

• IRONICAL (adjective)
  The adjective IRONICAL has 2 senses:

1. characterized by often poignant difference or incongruity between what is expected and what actually is

2. humorously sarcastic or mocking

  Familiarity information: IRONICAL used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• IRONICAL (adjective)

Sense 1

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)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Humorously sarcastic or mocking

Synonyms:

dry; ironic; ironical; wry

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)

 Context examples 

For God's sake don't be ironical!

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

The young inspector winced at my companion’s ironical comments.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The council of buccaneers had lasted some time, when one of them re-entered the house, and with a repetition of the same salute, which had in my eyes an ironical air, begged for a moment's loan of the torch.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

“Pals of the Dook, I suppose?” said the landlord, surveying our mud-stained garments with ironical eyes.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)