ironic
gb/aɪɹˈɑnɪk/ us/aɪɹˈɑnɪk/
B2
Αγγλικά
~ 7400
ironikus, a sors iróniája, furcsa véletlen, véletlen egybeesés
B2
1
ironikus
B2
Μοτίβο χρήσης:
[situation] is ironic / it is ironic that [clause]
It’s ironic that the fire station burned down during a safety drill.
A sors iróniája, hogy a tűzoltóállomás éppen egy biztonsági gyakorlat alatt égett le.
The most ironic part of the story is that he became famous for a book he never wanted to publish.
A történetben az a legironikusabb, hogy végül egy olyan könyv tette híressé, amelyet soha nem is akart megjelentetni.
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.
Παραδείγματα για μαθητές
It is ironic that the police station was robbed.
A sors iróniája, hogy kirabolták a rendőrőrsöt.
She thought it was ironic that the chef hated cooking at home.
Ironikusnak találta, hogy a séf utált otthon főzni.
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.
Συχνό λάθος:
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.
Σημασία
Unexpectedly opposite or fitting outcome
Συνδυασμοί λέξεων
an ironic twist
|an ironic twist of fate
|deeply ironic
|highly ironic
|bitterly ironic
|it is ironic that
Συνώνυμα
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'.)
Αντώνυμα
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.)
Θέματα
daily life
|emotions
|thinking
|core_vocabulary
Ορισμός
Describing a situation that is funny or strange because it is the opposite of what people expect or hope for.
Describing a situation or event that is strange or amusing because the result is the opposite of what was expected or wanted, or is uncannily appropriate.
C1
2
ironikus
B2
Μοτίβο χρήσης:
[someone] sounds ironic / an ironic [remark/tone/comment]
“Great, another meeting,” she said in an obviously ironic tone.
„Remek, még egy megbeszélés” – mondta nyilvánvalóan ironikus hangon.
His ironic comment about being "thrilled" to work all weekend made everyone laugh.
Mindenki nevetett az ironikus megjegyzésén, amikor azt mondta, mennyire „lelkes”, hogy egész hétvégén dolgozhat.
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.
Παραδείγματα για μαθητές
He used an ironic tone when he said he loved the traffic.
Ironikus hangon mondta, hogy imád a dugóban ülni.
Her comment was ironic, not serious.
A megjegyzése ironikus volt, nem gondolta komolyan.
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.
Συχνό λάθος:
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.
Σημασία
Using words to mean the opposite
Συνδυασμοί λέξεων
ironic comment
|ironic tone
|ironic smile
|deeply ironic remark
|slightly ironic
|an ironic sense of humor
Συνώνυμα
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'.)
Αντώνυμα
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.)
Θέματα
communication
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Ορισμός
Describing speech where a person says the opposite of what they really think, usually in a clever or critical way.
Describing a remark, tone, or style in which someone says the opposite of what they really mean, often to be humorous, witty, or critical.
C1
FORMAL
3
ironikus
C1
Μοτίβο χρήσης:
an ironic [attitude/distance/perspective/narrator]
The novel is narrated with an ironic distance that gently mocks the main character.
A regény narrátora ironikus távolságtartással mesél, és finoman kifigurázza a főszereplőt.
Her paintings take an ironic look at consumer culture, both celebrating and criticizing it.
Festményei ironikus szemmel tekintenek a fogyasztói kultúrára: egyszerre ünneplik és bírálják.
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.
Παραδείγματα για μαθητές
The writer uses an ironic voice in the story.
Az író ironikus elbeszélői hangot használ a történetben.
There is an ironic distance between the hero and the narrator.
Ironikus távolság van a hős és az elbeszélő között.
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.
Συχνό λάθος:
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.
Σημασία
Showing distance between appearance and reality
Συνδυασμοί λέξεων
ironic distance
|ironic detachment
|ironic perspective
|ironic self-awareness
|ironic narrator
|ironic stance
Συνώνυμα
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'.)
Αντώνυμα
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.)
Θέματα
literature
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Ορισμός
Describing a way of speaking, writing, or thinking that quietly shows a difference between how things look and how they really are.
Describing a style, attitude, or situation that highlights the contrast between what something seems to be and what it really is, often in a cool or detached way.
B2
INFORMAL
4
Μοτίβο χρήσης:
[situation] is ironic
It’s kind of ironic that we ended up in the same small town on vacation.
Elég furcsa véletlen, hogy végül ugyanabban a kisvárosban kötöttünk ki nyaralni.
Isn’t it ironic that our kids go to the same school now?
Hát nem furcsa véletlen, hogy a gyerekeink most ugyanabba az iskolába járnak?
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.
Παραδείγματα για μαθητές
It is ironic that we are in the same class again.
Furcsa véletlen, hogy megint ugyanabba az osztályba járunk.
She said it was ironic that they met on the same bus two days in a row.
Azt mondta, furcsa véletlen, hogy két egymást követő napon ugyanazon a buszon találkoztak.
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.
Συχνό λάθος:
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.
Σημασία
Surprisingly coincidental (informal use)
Συνδυασμοί λέξεων
kind of ironic
|sort of ironic
|it’s ironic we both
|how ironic that
|isn’t it ironic
Συνώνυμα
coincidental (Standard word for something that happens by chance; unlike traditional 'ironic', it does not require an opposite or unexpected result.)
Αντώνυμα
planned (Describes something done on purpose, not something that just happens by chance like a coincidence often called 'ironic' in casual speech.)
Θέματα
daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Ορισμός
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.
Used (often loosely and informally) to describe something that happens by chance in a surprising or striking way, even when there is no clear contrast between expectations and reality.
Γραμματική
Λημματική μορφή
ironic
IPA
GB/aɪɹˈɑnɪk/
US/aɪɹˈɑnɪk/
Συλλαβές και τόνος
iron - ic (2 συλλαβές)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ic)
Τύποι λέξης
Adjective
- Base: ironic
Οικογένεια λέξεων
Core family
irony
noun B2
ironically
adverb B2
Negative and opposite forms
unironic
adjective
unironically
adverb
Advanced or less common
ironist
noun
ironical
adjective
Εκφράσεις
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.
Παραδείγματα
- 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.
Παραδείγματα
- 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.
Παραδείγματα
- 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.
Παραδείγματα
- 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.
Παραδείγματα
- 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.