ironic
gb/aɪɹˈɑnɪk/ us/aɪɹˈɑnɪk/
B2
English
~ 7400
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
Unexpectedly opposite or fitting outcome
Describing a situation that is funny or strange because it is the opposite of what people expect or hope for.
Usage pattern:
[situation] is ironic / it is ironic that [clause]
Common mistake:
Learners often use 'ironic' when they only mean 'coincidental' (for example, saying 'It’s ironic we met on the same bus again' when there is no opposite or unexpected result, just chance). Traditional definitions of 'ironic' involve some contrast between what is expected and what actually happens, not simple coincidence.
Synonyms
paradoxical (Stresses that something seems self-contradictory or logically strange, without always having the humorous or wry feeling that 'ironic' suggests.)
|
counterintuitive (Focuses on being against what people would normally expect or think, and is less about humor or emotion than 'ironic'.)
Antonyms
predictable (A predictable situation happens in the way people expect, without the surprising or opposite result that makes something ironic.)
|
expected (Describes an outcome that matches what people thought would happen, so there is no sense of irony.)
Collocations
an ironic twist
|an ironic twist of fate
|deeply ironic
|highly ironic
|bitterly ironic
|it is ironic that
Themes
daily life
|emotions
|thinking
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- It’s ironic that the fire station burned down during a safety drill.
- The most ironic part of the story is that he became famous for a book he never wanted to publish.
- In an ironic twist of fate, the driving instructor failed his own driving test.
- The movie’s ending is ironic because the hero dies saving the person who betrayed him.
- Ironically, the town that opposed renewable energy was the first to lose power in the storm.
Learner examples
- It is ironic that the police station was robbed.
- She thought it was ironic that the chef hated cooking at home.
- The ending of the book is ironic because the villain becomes the hero.
- It was ironic that he got sick the day after he started a health plan.
- Many people found it ironic that the teacher failed the exam.
adjective
C1
property
2
Using words to mean the opposite
Describing speech where a person says the opposite of what they really think, usually in a clever or critical way.
Usage pattern:
[someone] sounds ironic / an ironic [remark/tone/comment]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'ironic' with only 'funny'. Ironic speech is often funny, but the key idea is that the speaker’s real meaning is the opposite of the words they use. They also mix 'ironic' with 'sarcastic'; sarcasm is usually more direct and more hurtful, while irony can be lighter or just playful.
Synonyms
sarcastic (Often stronger and more cutting than 'ironic', usually meant to hurt or mock more directly.)
|
wry (Suggests dry, understated humor and mild irony, usually less sharp than 'sarcastic'.)
Antonyms
sincere (A sincere remark honestly expresses what the speaker thinks, without saying the opposite as in ironic speech.)
|
literal (Literal language uses words in their basic meaning, not in the opposite or playful way that ironic speech does.)
Collocations
ironic comment
|ironic tone
|ironic smile
|deeply ironic remark
|slightly ironic
|an ironic sense of humor
Themes
communication
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- “Great, another meeting,” she said in an obviously ironic tone.
- His ironic comment about being "thrilled" to work all weekend made everyone laugh.
- There was an ironic edge to his voice when he congratulated his rival.
- She gave him an ironic smile and said, "What a genius idea," after the plan failed.
- The host’s ironic jokes about the awards show kept the audience entertained.
Learner examples
- He used an ironic tone when he said he loved the traffic.
- Her comment was ironic, not serious.
- I did not understand that he was being ironic.
- She made an ironic joke about how "easy" the exam was.
- His ironic smile showed that he did not really mean his words.
adjective
formal
C1
property
3
Showing distance between appearance and reality
Describing a way of speaking, writing, or thinking that quietly shows a difference between how things look and how they really are.
Usage pattern:
an ironic [attitude/distance/perspective/narrator]
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize this sense is more about general attitude or style, especially in art and literature, not just single jokes or comments. They also sometimes confuse 'ironic distance' with simply 'far away'; here 'distance' is emotional, not physical.
Synonyms
detached (Emphasizes emotional distance rather than the specific contrast between appearance and reality that 'ironic' suggests.)
|
satirical (Similar in showing a gap between reality and what is shown, but usually more openly critical and humorous than 'ironic'.)
Antonyms
earnest (An earnest style is serious and straightforward, without highlighting a hidden contrast between appearance and reality.)
|
straightforward (Focuses on clear, direct expression, lacking the layered double meaning often present in an ironic stance.)
Collocations
ironic distance
|ironic detachment
|ironic perspective
|ironic self-awareness
|ironic narrator
|ironic stance
Themes
literature
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The novel is narrated with an ironic distance that gently mocks the main character.
- Her paintings take an ironic look at consumer culture, both celebrating and criticizing it.
- The film’s ironic tone keeps the audience aware of the gap between the hero’s image and his real motives.
- He spoke with an ironic detachment, as if he did not fully believe his own promises.
- The comedian’s ironic perspective lets her joke about very serious topics without sounding cruel.
Learner examples
- The writer uses an ironic voice in the story.
- There is an ironic distance between the hero and the narrator.
- The movie has an ironic style that makes fun of war.
- His ironic attitude shows that he does not fully trust the system.
- The artist takes an ironic view of modern life.
adjective
informal
B2
property
4
Surprisingly coincidental (informal use)
Used in everyday speech to mean that two things happen together by chance and this is surprising, even if there is no real opposite or special contrast.
Usage pattern:
[situation] is ironic
Common mistake:
Some teachers and dictionaries say this meaning is incorrect because it confuses 'ironic' with 'coincidental'. However, many native speakers use 'ironic' this way in casual speech. For school or exams, it is safer to use 'coincidental' for pure chance, and keep 'ironic' for situations with a clear opposite or unexpected result.
Synonyms
coincidental (Standard word for something that happens by chance; unlike traditional 'ironic', it does not require an opposite or unexpected result.)
Antonyms
planned (Describes something done on purpose, not something that just happens by chance like a coincidence often called 'ironic' in casual speech.)
Collocations
kind of ironic
|sort of ironic
|it’s ironic we both
|how ironic that
|isn’t it ironic
Themes
daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- It’s kind of ironic that we ended up in the same small town on vacation.
- Isn’t it ironic that our kids go to the same school now?
- I think it’s ironic that we both ordered the exact same meal without talking about it first.
- How ironic that we were born in the same hospital on the same day.
- It felt ironic that I bumped into my old neighbor on the other side of the world.
Learner examples
- It is ironic that we are in the same class again.
- She said it was ironic that they met on the same bus two days in a row.
- He thinks it is ironic that their birthdays are on the same day.
- My friend said, “How ironic!” when we wore the same T‑shirt.
- People often say “That’s ironic” when they mean it is just a surprise.
Grammar
Dictionary form
ironic
IPA
GB/aɪɹˈɑnɪk/
US/aɪɹˈɑnɪk/
Syllables & stress
iron - ic (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ic)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: ironic
Word family
Core family
irony
noun B2
ironically
adverb B2
Negative and opposite forms
unironic
adjective
unironically
adverb
Advanced or less common
ironist
noun
ironical
adjective
Expressions
an ironic twist of fate
1/ən aɪɹˈɑnɪk twˈɪst əv fˈeɪt/
fixed phrase
Unexpected opposite life outcome
A fixed phrase for a life event that ends in a surprising way that seems opposite to what people thought would happen.
Examples
- In an ironic twist of fate, the billionaire died without a will and his money went to the state.
- The film ends with an ironic twist of fate when the thief becomes a respected police officer.
It’s ironic that
1/ˈɪts aɪɹˈɑnɪk ðˈæt/
fixed phrase
Introducing an ironic situation
Used before a sentence to say that what comes next is strange or funny because it is the opposite of what people would expect.
Examples
- It’s ironic that the only day it rains is the day of the outdoor concert.
- It’s ironic that she became a dentist when she was afraid of the dentist as a child.
- It’s ironic that he teaches time management but is always late.
with ironic distance
1/wˈɪθ aɪɹˈɑnɪk dˈɪstəns/
fixed phrase
literary
In a cool, ironic way
Used to say that someone is speaking, writing, or looking at something in a cool, distant way that quietly shows the difference between how things look and how they really are.
Examples
- The author writes about his own childhood with ironic distance.
- She describes political slogans with ironic distance, never fully agreeing with them.
ironically enough
1/aɪɹˈɑnɪkli ɪnˈʌf/
fixed phrase
Before stating an ironic fact
Used before a sentence to show that what you are going to say is ironic or surprisingly fitting.
Examples
- Ironically enough, the only person who believed him was the one he had lied to before.
- Ironically enough, she forgot to bring the notebook where she had written all her reminders.
ironically enough
2/aɪɹˈɑnɪkli ɪnˈʌf/
fixed phrase
interestingly, in an unexpected way
Used before a fact to show that it is surprising or opposite to what people would expect, with a little extra emphasis.
Examples
- Ironically enough, the town that ignored climate warnings was the first to be hit by severe flooding.
- Ironically enough, he became a dentist even though he was always afraid of going to the dentist as a child.