irony.

1. Expression conveying a meaning different from or opposite to its literal wording.

2. A contrast between an expected or intended outcome and what actually occurs.

3. A narrative effect in which an audience knows what a character does not.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• verbal irony
• dry irony

On the page

Her praise carried an irony he failed to hear.

Usage notes

Primary category: literary / elevated general. Forms: Usually uncountable; no ordinary plural in this sense. Legacy lexical fields mirror sense 1 only. Use numbered sense fields for all meanings. Established modern English lexical item. No separate regional spelling or grammatical inflection entry. Writing functions: character, atmosphere, interpretation. Commonness: moderately common.