# ironic

Pronunciation: say "y-RON-ik" US /aɪˈɹɑ.nɪk/, UK /aɪˈɹɒn.ɪk/, AUS /ɑeˈɹɔn.ɪk/

## Adjective

1. Showing or involving irony of any kind, whether in words meaning the opposite of what they say or in events that turn out contrary to expectation.
   - Simple: Saying the opposite of what you really mean, often for humor, or marked by a surprising twist.
   - _The novel's ironic tone keeps undercutting its own grand pronouncements._
   - _There was something deeply ironic about the safety inspector tripping over the warning sign._
2. Strange or coincidental in a way that strikes one as remarkable, often used loosely where strict irony isn't present.
   - Simple: Strange or oddly coincidental in a way that feels almost planned.
   - _It seemed ironic that the rain held off until exactly the moment we finished packing up._
   - _There's something ironic about losing your phone at a technology conference._
3. Done in an insincere, mocking way; satirical, so the gesture or words signal the opposite of sincere intent.
   - Simple: Done in a mocking, not-serious way to make fun of something.
   - _He offered an ironic bow to the audience that had just booed him off the stage._
   - _The reviewer kept an ironic tone, praising the film's "genius" while clearly ridiculing it._
4. Behaving in a teasing, unserious manner, saying things one doesn't literally mean for playful effect.
   - Simple: Acting in a playful, teasing way without being serious.
   - _He's being ironic again, so don't take his complaints about the weather seriously._
   - _When she called the budget meeting the highlight of her week, she was being ironic._

## Origin

Borrowed from Late Latin īrōnicus, from Ancient Greek εἰρωνικός (eirōnikós); it can also be analyzed as irony plus the suffix -ic, and compares with Middle French ironique.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/ironic (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).