irony

Meanings

• noun

  The use of words to signify something other than and opposite of its literal meaning.

  - "Making fun of a situation that is unfortunately serious."
  - "Saying something sarcastically when the opposite is true."
  - "Laughing at an unexpected and incongruous situation."

• noun

  A situation or circumstance that is ironic.

  - "Despite the heavy rain, the fire department had to fight a fire."
  - "He tripped over his own shoelaces and broke his ankle."
  - "The bank robber was caught because he left his mask at the scene."

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Pronunciation

1. 
   
   
   
   Source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=75803794"
2. /ˈaɪ.ɚ.ni/
   
   
   
   Source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3574478"
3. /ˈaɪ.ɚ.ni/
   
   
   
   Source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3483320"

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Synonyms

ferric , ferrous

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Rhymes

Words rhyming with irony
irony , Jonny , monkey , pony , wonkey , wony

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Variants

List of all variants of irony that leads to same result
Socratic irony , dramatic irony , ironies , irony , dramatic ironies , Socratic ironies

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Etymology

origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

From the Greek word 'eironeia', meaning dissembling, feigned ignorance, or mockery.

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Trivia

Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word

1. The term 'irony' was first used in English literature in the 15th century.

2. Irony is often used to create a sense of humor or wit, but it can also be used to convey serious or tragic meanings.

3. Irony is a common theme in many works of literature, including Shakespeare's plays and Jane Austen's novels.

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Related Concepts

informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to

1. Sarcasm: A type of irony that involves saying something with the opposite intended meaning, often with a tone of mockery or contempt.

2. Paradox: A statement that contradicts itself or seems absurd, often used in irony to highlight a contradiction or absurdity.

3. Understatement: A form of irony in which the speaker or writer says something in a way that is less serious or dramatic than the situation warrants.

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Quotes

Quotes by authors and personalities

1. The great "irony" of anthracite is that, tough as it is to light, once you get it lit it's nearly impossible to put out.

   - Bill Bryson,{it}A Walk in the Woods{/it},1999

2. And the "irony" is obvious: those who once had been the victims of separatism, who had sacrificed so dearly to overcome their being at the margins, would later create an ethos of their own separatism.

   - Shelby Steele,{it}Harper's{/it},July 1992

3. The great "irony" of human intelligence is that the only species on Earth capable of reason, complex-problem solving, long-term planning and consciousness understands so little about the organ that makes it all possible—the brain.

   - Amanda Bower,{it}Time{/it},20 Aug. 2001

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Culture

Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

Irony has been used extensively in literature, art, music, and other forms of expression. It is a powerful tool for conveying complex emotions and ideas, and has been used to comment on societal issues, human nature, and the absurdity of life.

How to Memorize "irony"

1. visualize
   

   - Imagine a situation where something unexpected happens, and people react with surprise or amusement. Visualize the irony in the situation and the contrast between the literal meaning of the words and the intended meaning.

2. associate
   

   - Associate the word 'irony' with situations where the opposite of what is expected happens. Think of examples from literature, art, or everyday life where irony is used effectively.

3. mnemonics
   

   - Use the mnemonic 'I Remember Odd Numbers' (Irony: Opposite Means Something Not Expected) to remember the definition of irony.

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The best and recommended way to memorize irony is, by using Dictozo. Just save the word in Dictozo extension and let the app handle the rest. It enhances the memorization process in two ways:

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