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Definition of Irony

Common examples of irony, verbal irony, situational irony, examples of irony in plot, real life examples of irony, difference between verbal irony, dramatic irony, and situational irony, writing irony, plot device, method of reveal, difference between irony and sarcasm, use of irony in sentences, examples of irony in literature.

Irony is a very effective literary device as it adds to the significance of well-known literary works. Here are some examples of irony:

Example 1:  The Necklace (Guy de Maupassant)

“You say that you bought a necklace of diamonds to replace mine?” “Yes. You never noticed it, then! They were very like.” And she smiled with a joy which was proud and naïve at once. Mme. Forestier, strongly moved, took her two hands. “Oh, my poor Mathilde! Why, my necklace was paste. It was worth at most five hundred francs!”

Example 2:  Not Waving but Drowning  (Stevie Smith)

Nobody heard him, the dead man, But still he lay moaning: I was much further out than you thought And not waving but drowning .

Example 3:  A Modest Proposal (Jonathan Swift)

A child will make two dishes at an entertainment for friends; and when the family dines alone, the fore or hind quarter will make a reasonable dish, and seasoned with a little pepper or salt will be very good boiled on the fourth day, especially in winter .

Example 4: 1984 by George Orwell

War is Peace ; Freedom is Slavery and Ignorance is Strength .

Synonyms of Irony

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Literary Devices

Literary devices, terms, and elements, definition of irony, types of irony, verbal irony.

Verbal irony can also consist of “ironic similes”, which are comparisons in which the two things are not alike at all. For example, “as soft as sandpaper” or “as warm as ice.” These similes mean that the thing in question is actually not soft or warm at all. The author Daniel Handler (who writes with the pen name Lemony Snicket) takes ironic similes to an extreme by qualifying them so they actually become real comparisons. For example: “Today was a very cold and bitter day, as cold and bitter as a cup of hot chocolate, if the cup of hot chocolate had vinegar added to it and were placed in a refrigerator for several hours.”

Dramatic Irony

Situational irony.

Other types of irony:

Difference between Irony and Sarcasm

Though there are many similarities between verbal irony and sarcasm, they are not equivalent. However, there are many dissenting opinions about how, exactly, they are different. For example, the Encyclopedia Britannica simply explains that sarcasm is non-literary irony. Others have argued that while someone employing verbal irony says the opposite of what that person means, sarcasm is direct speech that is aggressive humor. For example, when Winston Churchill told Bessie Braddock that “I shall be sober in the morning, and you will still be ugly,” he was being sarcastic and not employing any irony.

Common Examples of Irony

Examples of irony in literature.

Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare

In this famous love story the audience can foresee the tragic ending long before Romeo and Juliet themselves know what’s going to happen. At the end of the play, Romeo finds Juliet and believes her to be dead though the audience knows she’s taken a sleeping potion. Romeo kills himself with this false knowledge. Juliet then wakes up and, finding Romeo truly dead, kills herself as well. This irony example is one of dramatic irony as the audience has more information than the characters.

MARK ANTONY: But Brutus says he was ambitious; / And Brutus is an honourable man.

“The Little Mermaid” by Hans Christian Andersen

Test Your Knowledge of Irony

In Oedipus Rex, Oedipus kills his own father without realizing that the man is actually his father. This act brings on a plague and Oedipus swears that he will murder the man responsible, not knowing that he himself is responsible.

A. The event was very tragic, and thus it was ironic. B. JFK was aware that he was in danger, and thus employed verbal irony when he asserted that Dallas must love him, knowing this wasn’t the case. C. In retrospect, this conversation was ironic because the outcome of the situation was completely at odds with what anyone would have expected to happen. [spoiler title=”Answer to Question #3″] Answer: C is the correct answer.[/spoiler]

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Irony Definition

What is irony? Here’s a quick and simple definition:

Irony is a literary device or event in which how things seem to be is in fact very different from how they actually are. If this seems like a loose definition, don't worry—it is. Irony is a broad term that encompasses three different types of irony, each with their own specific definition:  verbal irony ,  dramatic irony , and  situational irony . Most of the time when people use the word irony, they're actually referring to one of these specific types of irony.

Some additional key details about irony:

• The term "irony" comes from the ancient Greek comic character called the "eiron," who pretends ignorance in order to deceive an opponent. 
• Irony overlaps with, but is not identical to, sarcasm and satire . 
• In the last twenty years or so, the term "ironic" has become popular to describe an attitude of detachment or subversive humor, like that of someone who wears a Christmas sweater as a joke. This more recent meaning of ironic is not entirely consistent with the original meaning of irony (a fact which itself might be described as being somewhat ironic). 

Irony Pronunciation

Here's how to pronounce irony: eye -run-ee

Irony in Depth

The term "irony" usually refers to three particular types of irony:

• Verbal irony is a figure of speech in which the literal meaning of what someone says is different from—and often opposite to—what they actually mean. For example, if someone has a painful visit to the dentist and when it's over says, "Well, that was pleasant," they are using verbal irony because the intended meaning of their words (that it  wasn't at all  pleasant) is the opposite of the literal meaning of the words. Verbal irony is the most common form of irony. In fact it is so common that when people mention "irony," they often are actually referring to verbal irony. 
• Dramatic irony  Is a plot device that highlights the difference between a character's understanding of a given situation, and that of the audience. When the audience watching a movie know what's behind that door, but the character in the movie has no idea... that's dramatic irony. 
• Situational irony  refers to an unexpected, paradoxical, or perverse turn of events. It is an example of situational irony when, in the O. Henry story " The Gift of the Magi ," a young wife cuts off her hair in order to buy her husband a chain for his prized watch, but the husband sells his watch to buy his wife a comb for her beautiful hair. 

Although these three kinds of irony may seem very different at first glance, they all share one important quality: a tension between how things appear and how they really are. For a more in-depth look at each of these devices, please visit their individual pages.

Also, it's worth knowing that sometimes instances of irony don't quite fit into any of these categories, and instead align with the more general definition of irony as something that seems to be one way, but is in fact another way. Put more broadly: sometimes irony is verbal irony, sometimes it's dramatic irony, sometimes it's situational irony, and sometimes it's just irony. 

Irony, Sarcasm, and Satire

Besides the three main types of irony described above, two other literary devices—sarcasm and satire—share a lot in common with irony:

• Sarcasm is a bitter, cutting, or mocking taunt used to denigrate a particular person, place, or thing. It can sometimes take the form of verbal irony. For instance, if you were to say to someone who had just cut you in line, "What a polite, civilized person you are!" that would be sarcasm in the form of irony, since your meaning is the opposite of the literal meaning of your words. Sarcasm very often involves irony. However, it doesn't always have to use irony. For instance, when Groucho Marx says "i never forget a face, but in your case I'll be glad to make an exception," he is being sarcastic, but his words, however witty they are, mean exactly what they say. 
• Satire is a form of social or political critique. Like sarcasm, it often makes use of irony, but it isn't always ironic.

You can get more details on both sarcasm and satire at their specific pages.

Irony Examples

All three forms of irony are used very frequently in literature, theater, and film. In addition, sometimes the irony found in any of these mediums is broader and doesn't fit into any of the specific categories, and is instead just general irony. 

Irony in "The Sell Out"

" The Sell Out " by Simon Rich is a short story recently published in the New Yorker that is full of irony. The story is narrated by a Polish Jew named Herschel, who lives in Brooklyn in the early twentieth century. Herschel accidentally preserves himself in brine for one hundred years, and when he is finally discovered, still alive, in 2017, he is introduced to his great-great-grandson, a young man who lives in present-day Brooklyn. On Herschel's first day, the great-great-grandson Simon tells Herschel about computers. Herschel describes the scene (note that Hershel's English isn't all that great):

It takes him long time, but eventually Simon is able to explain. A computer is a magical box that provides endless pleasure for free. Simon is used to constant access to this box—a never-ending flow of pleasures. When the box stops working—or even just briefly slows down—he becomes so enraged that he curses our God, the one who gave us life and brought us forth from Egypt.

This description is a great example of irony in the most general sense. The humor stems from the disparity between what seems to be true to Herschel (that computers are magic pleasure boxes) and what is actually true (that computers are, well, computers, and that people are kind of stupidly addicted to them). The use of irony is effective here because Hershel's description, as outlandish as it is, actually points to something that is  true about the way people use computers. Therefore, the disparity between "what is" and "what appears to be" to Herschel isn't merely a comical error; rather, it's ironic because it actually points to a greater truth about its subject.

Verbal Irony in Don Quixote

One famously ironic work is Miguel de Cervantes's Don Quixote .   At one point, the book's narrator states: 

… historians should and must be precise, truthful and unprejudiced, without allowing self-interest or fear, hostility or affection, to turn them away from the path of truth, whose mother is history.

We can identify the above quotation as an example of verbal irony if we consider that the book's hero, Don Quixote, is fundamentally incapable of distinguishing truth from fiction, and any historian of his life would have to follow a double track of reality and fantasy which continuously overlaps, tangles, and flips. One of the most basic premises of the book is that truth is more difficult to identify than it may seem. Therefore, when the narrator vows to follow the single path of truth, he is being ironic; in reality, he believes this to be impossible. 

Dramatic Irony in Othello

The device of dramatic irony is especially well-suited to the theater, which displays constantly shifting sets, scenes, and characters to a stationary audience that, therefore, often has a more complete or "omniscient" perspective compared to any of the characters. One excellent example of dramatic irony can be found in Shakespeare's  Othello . 

Through the play, the audience watches as Iago plots against his commander Othello, and seeks to make Othello believe that his wife Desdemona has been unfaithful to him. The audience watches as Iago plots to himself and with others. Sometimes Iago even directly reveals his plans to the audience. Meanwhile, Othello continues to trust Iago, and the audience watches as the the plan they know that Iago is pursuing slowly plays out just as he intended, and Othello eventually murders the entirely innocent Desdemona. The way that the play makes the audience aware of Iago's plot, even as Othello is not, means that the play is full of dramatic irony almost for its entire length. 

Situational Irony in The Producers

In this classic film, two friends come up with a complicated money-making scheme in which they put on a play that they think is absolutely certain to fail. Their plan backfires when the play, entitled "Springtime for Hitler," is so shockingly bad that people think it's a comedy and come to see it in droves. This is an example of situational irony because the outcome is the exact opposite of what the play's producers expected.

Why Do Writers Use Irony?

Irony is a tool that can be used for many different purposes. Though sarcasm and satire are two ways of using irony that are primarily negative and critical, ironic statements can also underscore the fragility, complexity, and beauty of human experience.

• Situational irony often demonstrates how human beings are always at the mercy of an unpredictable universe—and that life can always take an unexpected turn.
• Dramatic irony emphasizes that human knowledge is always partial and often incorrect, while giving the reader or viewer the satisfaction of a more complete understanding than that of the characters.
• In dialogue, verbal irony can display one character's sparkling wit, and another character's thickheadedness. Verbal irony can also create a connection between people who  get  the irony, excluding those who don't.

Ultimately, irony is used to create meaning—whether it's humorous or profound—out of the gap between the way things appear and how they actually are.

Other Helpful Irony Resources

• The Wikipedia page on irony : A helpful overview.
• The dictionary definition of irony : A basic definition, with a bit on the etymology.
• The comedian George Carlin explaining the difference  between situational irony and mere coincidence.
• A site with a helpful index of examples of different types of irony in television, film, video games, and other media.

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Definition and Examples of Irony (Figure of Speech)

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• An Introduction to Punctuation
• Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia
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• B.A., English, State University of New York

Irony is the use of words to convey the opposite of their literal meaning. Similarly, irony may be a statement or situation where the meaning is contradicted by the appearance or presentation of the idea.

Adjective: ironic or ironical . Also known as  eironeia , illusio , and the dry mock .

The Three Kinds of Irony

Three kinds of irony are commonly recognized:

• Verbal irony is a trope in which the intended meaning of a statement differs from the meaning that the words appear to express.
• Situational irony involves an incongruity between what is expected or intended and what actually occurs.
• Dramatic irony is an effect produced by a narrative in which the audience knows more about the present or future circumstances than a character in the story.

In light of these different varieties of irony, Jonathan Tittler has concluded that irony

"has meant and means so many different things to different people that rarely is there a meeting of minds as to its particular sense on a given occasion."

(Quoted by Frank Stringfellow in The Meaning of Irony , 1994.)

From the Greek, "feigned ignorance"

Pronunciation:

Irony in academics.

Academicians and others have explained irony in its various forms, including how to use it and how others have used it, as these quotes show.

D.C. Muecke

"Irony may be used as a rhetorical device to enforce one's meaning. It may be used . . . as a satiric device to attack a point of view or to expose folly, hypocrisy, or vanity. It may be used as a heuristic device to lead one's readers to see that things are not so simple or certain as they seem, or perhaps not so complex or doubtful as they seem. It is probable that most irony is rhetorical, satirical, or heuristic. ... "In the first place irony is a double-layered or two-story phenomenon. ... In the second place, there is always some kind of opposition that may take the form of contradiction, incongruity, or incompatibility. ... In the third place, there is in irony an element of 'innocence.'" — The Compass of Irony . Methuen, 1969

R. Kent Rasmussen

"David Wilson, the title character of Pudd'nhead Wilson , is a master of irony. In fact, his use of irony permanently marks him. When he first arrives in Dawson's Landing in 1830, he makes an ironic remark that the villagers cannot understand. Distracted by the annoying yelping of an unseen dog, he says, 'I wished I owned half of that dog.' When asked why, he replies, 'Because I would kill my half.' He does not really want to own half the dog, and he probably does not really want to kill it; he merely wants to silence it and knows killing half the dog would kill the whole animal and achieve the desired effect. His remark is a simple example of irony, and the failure of the villagers to understand it causes them immediately to brand Wilson a fool and nickname him 'pudd'nhead.' The very title of the novel is, therefore, based on irony, and that irony is compounded by the fact that Wilson is anything but a fool." — Bloom's How to Write About Mark Twain . Infobase, 2008

Bryan Garner

"A classic example of irony is Mark Antony's speech in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar . Although Antony declares, 'I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him,' and declares that the assassins are 'honorable men,' he means just the opposite." — Garner's Modern American Usage . Oxford University Press, 2009

Barry Brummett

"It is sometimes said that we live in an age of irony. Irony in this sense may be found, for example, all throughout The Daily Show with Jon Stewart . Suppose you hear a political candidate give a terribly long speech, one that rambles on and on without end. Afterward, you might turn to a friend sitting next to you, roll your eyes, and say, 'Well, that was short and to the point, wasn't it?' You are being ironic. You are counting on your friend to turn the literal meaning of your expression, to read it as exactly the opposite of what your words actually mean. ... "When irony works, it helps to cement social bonds and mutual understanding because the speaker and hearer of irony both know to turn the utterance, and they know that the other one knows they will turn the utterance. ... "Irony is a kind of winking at each other, as we all understand the game of meaning reversal that is being played." — Techniques of Close Reading . Sage, 2010

"Irony has always been a primary tool the under-powered use to tear at the over-powered in our culture. But now irony has become the bait that media corporations use to appeal to educated consumers. ... It's almost an ultimate irony that those who say they don't like TV will sit and watch TV as long as the hosts of their favorite shows act like they don't like TV, either. Somewhere in this swirl of droll poses and pseudo-insights, irony itself becomes a kind of mass therapy for a politically confused culture. It offers a comfortable space where complicity doesn't feel like complicity. It makes you feel like you are counter-cultural while never requiring you to leave the mainstream culture it has so much fun teasing. We are happy enough with this therapy that we feel no need to enact social change." — Review of The Daily Show , 2001

Jon Winokur

"Alanis Morissette's 'Ironic,' in which situations purporting to be ironic are merely sad, random, or annoying (a traffic jam when you're late, a no-smoking sign on your cigarette break) perpetuates widespread misuse of the word and outrages irony prescriptivists . It is, of course, ironic that 'Ironic' is an unironic song about irony. Bonus irony: 'Ironic' is widely cited as an example of how Americans don't get irony, despite the fact that Alanis Morissette is Canadian." — The Big Book of Irony . St. Martin's, 2007

R. Jay Magill, Jr.

"Direct expression, with no tricks, gimmickry, or irony, has come to be interpreted ironically because the default interpretive apparatus says, 'He can't really mean THAT!' When a culture becomes ironic about itself en masse , simple statements of brutal fact, simple judgments of hate or dislike become humorous because they unveil the absurdity, 'friendliness,' and caution of normal public expression. It's funny because it's true. Honestly. We're all upside down now." — Chic Ironic Bitterness . University of Michigan Press, 2007

Irony in Popular Cultue

Irony also has a large presence in popular culture—books, movies, and television shows. These quotes show the concept in use in a variety of formats.

John Hall Wheelock

"A planet doesn't explode of itself," said drily The Martian astronomer, gazing off into the air— "That they were able to do it is proof that highly Intelligent beings must have been living there." — "Earth"

Raymond Huntley and Eliot Makeham

Kampenfeldt: This is a grave matter, a very grave matter. It has just been reported to me that you've been expressing sentiments hostile to the Fatherland. Schwab: What, me sir? Kampenfeldt: I warn you, Schwab, such treasonable conduct will lead you to a concentration camp. Schwab: But sir, what did I say? Kampenfeldt: You were distinctly heard to remark, "This is a fine country to live in." Schwab: Oh, no, sir. There's some mistake. No, what I said was, "This is a fine country to live in." Kampenfeldt: Huh? You sure? Schwab: Yes sir. Kampenfeldt: I see. Well, in future don't make remarks that can be taken two ways. — Night Train to Munich , 1940

Peter Sellers

"Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the War Room." — As President Merkin Muffley in Dr. Strangelove, 1964

William Zinsser

"It is a fitting irony that under Richard Nixon, launder became a dirty word."

Alan Bennett

"We're conceived in irony. We float in it from the womb. It's the amniotic fluid. It's the silver sea. It's the waters at their priest-like task, washing away guilt and purpose and responsibility. Joking but not joking. Caring but not caring. Serious but not serious." — Hilary in The Old Country , 1977

Thomas Carlyle

"An ironic man, with his sly stillness, and ambuscading ways, more especially an ironic young man, from whom it is least expected, may be viewed as a pest to society." Sartor Resartus: The Life and Opinions of Herr Teufelsdrockh , 1833-34

"Glee"

Rachel Berry: Mr. Schuester, do you have any idea how ridiculous it is to give the lead solo in "Sit Down, You're Rocking the Boat" to a boy in a wheelchair? Artie Abrams: I think Mr. Schue is using irony to enhance the performance. Rachel Berry: There's nothing ironic about show choir! — Pilot episode, 2009

"Seinfeld"

​ Woman: I started riding these trains in the '40s. Those days a man would give up his seat for a woman. Now we're liberated and we have to stand. Elaine: It's ironic. Woman: What's ironic? Elaine: This, that we've come all this way, we have made all this progress, but you know we've lost the little things, the niceties. Woman: No, I mean what does ironic mean? Elaine: Oh.​ — "The Subway," Jan. 8 1992

Sideshow Bob

"I'm aware of the irony of appearing on TV in order to decry it." — The Simpsons

Calvin Trillin

"Math was my worst subject because I could never persuade the teacher that my answers were meant ironically."

The Men Who Stare at Goats,

Lyn Cassady: It's okay, you can "attack" me. Bob Wilton: What's with the quotation fingers? It's like saying I'm only capable of ironic attacking or something.​ — 2009

Irony Deficiency

Irony deficiency  is an informal term for the inability to recognize, comprehend, and/or utilize irony—that is, a tendency to interpret  figurative language  in a literal way.

Jonah Goldberg

"Mobsters are reputedly huge fans of  The Godfather . They don’t see it as a tale of individual moral corruption. They see it as a nostalgia trip to better days for the mob." — "The Irony of Irony."  National Review , April 28, 1999

"Irony deficiency is directly proportional to the strength of the political commitment or religious fervor. True believers of all persuasions are irony deficient. ... "Brutal dictators are irony deficient—take Hitler, Stalin, Kim Jong-il, and Saddam Hussein, a world-class vulgarian whose art collection consisted of kitsch paintings displayed unironically." — The Big Book of Irony . Macmillan, 2007

Swami Beyondananda

"Here is something ironic: We live at a time when our diets are richer in irony than ever before in human history, yet millions of us suffer from that silent crippler, irony deficiency ... not so much a deficiency in irony itself, but an inability to utilize the abundance of irony all around us." — Duck Soup for the Soul . Hysteria, 1999

Roy Blount, Jr.

"Will people who detect a lack of irony in other cultures never stop to consider that this may be a sign of their own irony deficiency? Maybe it's defensible when the apes detect a lack of irony in Charlton Heston in  Planet of the Apes , but not when, say, Brits detect it in, say, Americans as a race . ... The point of irony, after all, is to say things behind people's backs to their faces. If you look around the poker table and can't tell who the pigeon is, it's you." — "How to Talk Southern."  The New York Times , Nov. 21, 2004

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20 Irony Examples: In Literature and Real Life

By Millie Dinsdale

Irony occurs when what happens is the opposite from what is expected.

Writers use irony as a literary technique to add humor, create tension, include uncertainty, or form the central plot of a story.

We will be looking at the four types of irony (three common and one uncommon) and providing examples and tips to help you identify and use them in your work.

Quick Reminder of What Irony Is

Irony examples in literature, irony examples in real life, which scenario is an example of irony.

Irony is a rhetorical device in which the appearance of something is opposite to its reality .

There are four main types of irony: verbal irony, dramatic irony, situational irony, and Socratic irony . Socratic irony is not a literary device, and therefore we will not be looking at examples, but it is worth being aware of.

• Verbal Irony is when a speaker says one thing but means something entirely different. The literal meaning is at odds with the intended meaning.
• Dramatic Irony is when the audience knows something that the characters don’t.
• Situational Irony is when what happens is the opposite of what you expect.
• Socratic Irony is when a person feigns ignorance in order to get another to admit to knowing or doing something. It is named after Socrates, the Greek philosopher, who used this technique to tease information out of his students.

Why is irony important to understand? Along with being a key rhetorical device, irony can also be very effective when used correctly in writing.

To demonstrate this fact we have selected ten examples of irony usage from popular literature. Warning: this list includes a few spoilers.

1) The main characters’ wishes in L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz are a perfect example of situational irony .

The characters go on a quest to fulfill their hearts’ desires and instead of doing so they realize that they already had what they wanted all along. It is unexpected because the reader might assume that all of their desires will be gifted to the four main characters but, in the end, it’s unnecessary.

2) The conclusion between the two primary opponents in The Night Circus contains a large amount of situational irony .

The reader is led to expect that either Marco or Celia will win but, in the end, they both end up working together to keep their creation alive. The competition is not as black and white (pardon the pun) as it initially seems.

3) The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is full of verbal irony . A great example of this is when Dr Jekyll says “I am quite sure of him,” when referring to Mr Hyde.

This is verbal irony because the reader finds out that Hyde is actually Jekyll’s alter ego, so it would be expected that he knows himself well.

4) Shakespeare creates dramatic irony in the prologue of Romeo and Juliet through the line: “A pair of star-cross’d lovers take their life.”

This well-known example is ironic because the reader knows from the very beginning that their romance will end in death, but they don’t yet know how.

5) Alice’s changing relationship with the Bandersnatch in Alice in Wonderland is situationally ironic .

When we first meet the Bandersnatch, he is ferocious and attempts to harm Alice. When Alice returns his eye, they become friends and the two work together to defeat the Jabberwocky. The audience expects to see an enemy but are instead presented with an ally.

6) George Orwell masters situational irony in Animal Farm through the animals’ endless and fruitless battle to obtain freedom.

All of the animals work together to escape the tyranny of the humans who own them. In doing so they end up under the even stricter rule of the pigs.

7) Roald Dahl’s short story A Lamb to a Slaughter is full of dramatic irony .

A housewife kills her husband with a frozen leg of lamb when he asks for a divorce. The police come looking for evidence and unknowingly dispose of it when they are fed the murder weapon for dinner.

8) The repeated line “May the odds be ever in your favor” in Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games is verbally ironic .

Everyone from district 1 through 12 can be offered as a child sacrifice and has a 1/24 chance of surviving. Even if they do survive they are then delivered back under the control of the Capitol, so the odds are in nobody’s favor.

9) The disparity between children and adults in Roald Dahl’s Matilda is situationally ironic .

Most of the adults in Matilda’s life are hot-headed, uneducated, and unreasonable, while she as a six-year old is more mature than most of them. The traditional roles of child and adult are unexpectedly flipped on their heads.

10) The hit-and-run in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is situationally ironic .

Daisy Buchanan kills Myrtle when Myrtle runs in front of Gatsby’s car. It is ironic because Myrtle is Tom Buchanan’s mistress but Daisy does not know this. She unintentionally killed her husband's mistress.

Irony works so well in literature because it is so common in real life. Have you ever found yourself saying “well that’s ironic” to a situation in your life?

You could be talking about verbal, situational, or dramatic irony. Let’s take a look at a few everyday examples of each type.

11) When you find out that your pulmonologist (lung doctor) smokes.

This is situationally ironic because you’d expect this doctor of all people to avoid smoking because they understand all of the risks.

12) When someone falls over for the tenth time while ice-skating and says “I meant to do that.”

This person cannot be intending to fall over all the time but they are using verbal irony to make light of a possibly painful situation.

13) Your dog eats his certificate of dog-training obedience.

You would expect that in the process of having obtained an obedience certificate, the dog would also have learnt not to eat random objects. This is an example of situational irony .

14) The fire hydrant is on fire.

This is situationally ironic because the last thing that you would expect to be on fire is the object that is designed to fight fires. A similar example to this would be if a fire station were on fire.

15) A girl is teasing her friend for having mud on his face but she doesn’t know that she also has mud on her face.

From the point of view of the friend, this is an example of dramatic irony because he knows something that she does not.

16) Your mom buys a non-stick pan but has to throw it away because the label is so sticky she cannot get it off.

You would predict that the pan was completely non-stick but are proven wrong at the first hurdle, which is situationally ironic .

17) When someone crashes into a “thank you for driving carefully'' sign.

The vision of a car crashed into the sign makes it clear that they did not drive carefully at all, which is situationally ironic .

18) Buying your English teacher a mug that reads “your the best teacher ever.”

The poor English teacher may feel like they have failed in their job in this situationally ironic situation where their student has bought them a mug with a grammar mistake.

19) When a child says “I want crisps now!” and the parent says: “Thank you so much for using your good manners.”

The child is being impolite and the parent is not actually congratulating the child on their manners in this example of verbal irony . They mean the exact opposite.

20) You can’t open your new scissors because you don’t have any scissors to cut through the plastic.

This example of situational irony is far too common. In buying scissors, it can be expected that you do not have any, so it is ironic that the packaging is designed for someone who already has a pair.

Are you ready for a quick quiz to test your knowledge of irony? The test is split into the three types of irony.

Which of These Are Examples of Situational Irony?

1) A police station is robbed.

2) A child loses his rucksack after being told to take care not to lose it.

3) A person eats sweets while preaching about healthy eating

Only 1) and 3) are examples of situational irony. Sentence 2) is not a situational irony example because it could be expected that the child might lose the rucksack and that is why they were told to take care.

It would, however, be ironic if he subsequently lost his “Most Organized in 2nd Grade” certificate five minutes after being awarded it.

Which of These Are Examples of Verbal Irony?

1) Saying “The weather is lovely today” while it is hailing.

2) “Wow that perfume is so lovely, did you bathe in it?”

3) Saying “Thank you so much for your help” after someone has crushed your new glasses while helping to look for them.

Only example 1) is verbally ironic, the other two are sarcastic comments.

Verbal irony and sarcasm are often confused but there is one big difference between them: verbal irony is when what you say is the opposite of what you mean while sarcasm is specifically meant to embarrass or insult someone.

Which of These Are Examples of Dramatic Irony?

1) A small ship without life boats is stuck in a monumental storm in the middle of the Atlantic.

2) Three characters are killed and a fourth seems to be going the same way.

3) A girl walks down the same alley we have just seen a known murderer walk down.

Only option 3) is an example of dramatic irony because the audience knows that the murderer is down the alley but the girl does not.

Although the other two examples are undeniably dramatic, there is no inherent irony because the audience has no more knowledge about what will happen than those involved.

Why Should You Use Irony in Your Writing?

Irony can be an effective tool to make a reader stop and think about what has just happened.

It can also emphasize a central theme or idea by adding an unexpected twist to the events of the story.

What brilliant examples of irony in literature have we missed? Share your favorites in the comments.

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Posted on Sep 02, 2022

Verbal Irony: 9 Examples that Will Make You Smirk

About the author.

Reedsy's editorial team is a diverse group of industry experts devoted to helping authors write and publish beautiful books.

About Martin Cavannagh

Head of Content at Reedsy, Martin has spent over eight years helping writers turn their ambitions into reality. As a voice in the indie publishing space, he has written for a number of outlets and spoken at conferences, including the 2024 Writers Summit at the London Book Fair.

Verbal irony is a figure of speech in which the literal meaning of what someone is saying is different from what they really mean. For example, someone saying “Just what I needed”, after spilling coffee on their shirt on the way to an important meeting. It is often used to make a point or to express sarcasm, both in literature and in everyday conversation. It can also be used to bring humor to a situation, foreshadow events, or express frustration. 

For a better grasp of this type of humor, here are some examples of verbal irony from popular culture: 

“Your stunned silence is very reassuring” — Monsters, Inc

Roz (flatly): Hello Wazowski. Fun filled evening plans for tonight? Mike Wazowski: Well, as a matter of fact — Roz: — and I’m sure you filed your paperwork correctly. For once. (pause) Roz: Your stunned silence is very reassuring.

In Monsters Inc, scare assistant Mike Wazowski tries to leave work without dropping off his paperwork for the day. Unfortunately for Mike, this involves slipping past Roz, the intimidating administrator of ‘Scare Floor F.’ Her dry and deadpan line of questioning, which drips with irony,  immediately establishes her place within the company as a terrifying authority figure who terrifies Mike. Of course, Mike’s instincts aren’t too far off, as Roz later reveals herself to be more than meets the eye(!).

“And Brutus is an honourable man” — Julius Caesar

“Here, under leave of Brutus and the rest– For Brutus is an honourable man; So are they all, all honourable men– Come I to speak in Caesar’s funeral. He was my friend, faithful and just to me: But Brutus says he was ambitious; And Brutus is an honourable man.”

In Shakespeare's Julius Caesar , Caesar has just been murdered by a band of conspirators that includes his ally, Marcus Brutus. Brutus makes an appeal to the people of Rome to justify the killing — saying that his cohorts were, in fact, protecting Rome from Caesar’s ambitions. Brutus briefly wins the crowd’s support until Caesar’s close friend, Mark Anthony, stands to make his famous “Friends, Romans, countrymen” speech.

In his address, Mark Anthony repeatedly calls the conspirators “honourable men” — the irony of which is not lost on the crowd. He singles out Brutus’s justification that Caesar was “ambitious” — and hits home just how weak a reason this was to kill a man. But who are we to argue with Brutus? After all, he is an “honourable man.” But Mark Anthony’s ironic implications are enough to turn the tide of support.

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“Say Yes to Knope!” — Parks and Recreation

"Yes we can’t not. Knope."

Fiction is packed full of people whose names are the polar opposites of their characters — an irony that often serves to highlight that particular trait. In Parks and Recreation, the city’s irrepressibly positive parks administrator is curiously named Leslie Knope (pronounced ‘nope’). This contradiction was strategically deployed for laughs over the show’s seven seasons, culminating in a real-world billboard for Leslie’s campaign: “KNOPE WE CAN IN 2012”.

Other characters with ironic names include the man-mountain Little John from Robin Hood, Waiting for Godot ’s beleaguered slave character (called "Lucky"), and the perpetually ill and lethargic Captain Keene in the Hornblowers series.

"The dead man very considerately got up...” — The Sign of the Four

“What do you think of this, Holmes? Sholto was, on his own confession, with his brother last night. The brother died in a fit, on which Sholto walked off with the treasure. How's that?" "On which the dead man very considerately got up and locked the door on the inside." "Hum! There's a flaw there.”

The most accomplished forensic mind of the Victorian age, Sherlock Holmes is not known for his patience with lesser detectives. When police inspector Athenley Jones overlooks a key detail in examining a crime scene, Holmes resorts to a quick barb to set Jones straight. This use of verbal irony in The Sign of the Four (where he supposes that a dead man has locked a room from the inside) not only reveals Holmes’s cutting demeanor — but also nods his signature use of deductive reasoning: “When you have eliminated all which is impossible, then whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.” And in this particular case, as in real life, walking corpses are still in the realm of the impossible.

📚 Sound like something you want to read more of? Check out our comprehensive guide to the Sherlock Holmes books .

“It’s so good to see you too!” — She’s the Man

Monique: (running up behind Viola) Sebastian! Monique whips Viola around, by pulling on her loose-fitting sport jacket. Monique: Ew, it’s you. God, you and your brother look scary alike from the back. I think it’s your total lack of curves Viola: Hi Monique, it’s so good to see you too!

When your brother’s girlfriend accidentally mistakes you for him, you’d think she’d apologize or something — instead of adding insult to injury. Well, when this happens to the heroine of She’s The Man (a modern spin on Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night ), Viola cuts back at her brother’s vapid girlfriend with a thickly sarcastic, “it’s so good to see you too.” This response reveals a lot about Viola's confident, sassy personality.

In another twist of irony, Monique’s insult gives Viola a solution to her biggest problem: she’s going to pose as a boy so she can join the school soccer team!

“A stranger to one of your parents” — Pride and Prejudice

“An unhappy alternative is before you, Elizabeth. From this day you must be a stranger to one of your parents. Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you do.” 

Lizzie Bennet, of Austen's Pride and Prejudice , finds herself in a tough spot. Her mother wishes for her to marry the insipid Mr. Collins — the heir to her family home — thereby securing the Bennet clan’s future. For the independent and intelligent Lizzie, this future seems as inevitable as it is horrible — until her father finally pipes up.

While he usually leaves all decisions of society and marriage to his over-enthusiastic wife, Mr. Bennett finally decides to speak up against this marital arrangement. While, at face value, Mr. Bennett’s ultimatum makes it sound like he just doesn’t want to spend more time with Mr. Collins than necessary, the reader understands this to be his way of showing support and affection for his favorite daughter.

“And that has made all the difference” – The Road Not Taken

"I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference."

We often needlessly sweat over the tiny choices in life: this is the point ultimately made by the narrator of Frost’s “The Road Not Taken,” a poem commonly misread as a celebration of individualism and the adventurous spirit. Oh, the irony!

Faced with a choice between two diverging roads, our hero seems proud that he took the road ‘less traveled by.' He soon realizes that it was pretty much the same once he’d trod through it. In the final stanza, he imagines himself telling others that this choice has ‘made all the difference’ —  but his sigh lets us know otherwise! While the path you choose (or the choices you make) might slightly change the journey, in the end, will it have made a difference at all?

“Some animals are more equal than others.” – Animal Farm

"There was nothing there now except a single Commandment. It ran:  ALL ANIMALS ARE EQUAL BUT SOME ANIMALS ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS After that it did not seem strange when next day the pigs who were supervising the work of the farm all carried whips in their trotters." 

The pigs in George Orwell's  Animal Farm set out with pure intentions to create an egalitarian society amongst the barnyard animals. However, they slowly grew power hungry and ironically ended up establishing a dictatorship even worse than the former humans who ruled them. While the statement starts by saying ‘all animals are equal,' it goes on to say that ‘some are more equal than others,’ defeating the entire premise laid down in the first part of the statement. This highlights the hypocrisy of the pigs, whose previously secret disdain for other animals is now writ large. 

“Vintage, so adorable.” – Mean Girls

Regina:  Oh my God, I love your skirt! Where did you get it? Lea Edwards: It was my mom's in the '80s. Regina: Vintage, so adorable. Lea Edwards: Thanks!  (Lea leaves) Regina (quietly, to Cady): That is the ugliest effing skirt I've ever seen.

In line with her status as Queen Bee, Regina George gives another girl the ultimate stamp of approval by telling her, apropos of nothing, that she loves her skirt. However, she doesn’t mean one word of her compliment — this secretly sarcastic comment was a status play designed to show new girl Cady Heron the power and influence she wields at this high school.

Ready for more irony? Well, buckle up and check out our next post , which digs up a delicious serving of situational irony.

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Irony: definition, types, and examples

Holly Stanley

“That’s so ironic!” We’ve all probably uttered these words at some point. In fact, you probably hear “isn’t it ironic?” all the time. Irony is one of the English language’s most misused and abused words. 

Irony has become synonymous with coincidence, bad luck, and pleasant surprises. But most things in life aren’t ironic . 

So if coincidences, bad luck, and unusual situations aren’t, what is ironic ? Let’s track down the misused word and uncover what situations it pertains to. 

Irony definition

The use of irony shows the contrast or incongruity between how things appear and how they are in reality. The remark “how ironic” indicates a meaning that’s the opposite of its precise meaning. 

In an ironic phrase, one thing is said, while another thing is meant. For example, if it were a cold, rainy gray day, you might say, “What a beautiful day!” Or, alternatively, if you were suffering from a bad bout of food poisoning, you might say, “Wow, I feel great today.”

These are both examples of irony –– verbal irony, to be precise –– the most frequently used type of irony (more on that later.)

Where does the word irony come from? 

Looking at irony’s origins can help with understanding how to best use the word. The word irony comes from the Latin ironia , meaning “feigned ignorance,” and previously from the Greek eironeia . Eiron, a Greek comic, was an intelligent underdog who used his wit to triumph over the egotistical character Alazon.

Since irony describes an outcome that contrasts with the originally expected results, you’ll see that writers generally use irony to build tension, create humor, or as a plot twist. 

When is something not ironic? 

When pinpointing the definition of irony , it can be helpful to look at when situations are incorrectly labeled as ironic . Irony is often used as a synonym for a caustic remark, something that’s interesting, or sarcastic.

What about the song Ironic ? 

Even singer Alanis Morissette got the definition wrong in her hit 1995 single “Ironic.” In fact, the criticism of her song was so strong, she had to clarify that she wasn’t technically trying to say that every line of the song was ironic.

Let’s take a closer look at Morissette’s timeless song lyrics:

It’s like rain on your wedding day,

It’s a free ride when you’ve already paid,

It’s the good advice that you just didn’t take.

While it could be considered bad luck, rain on a wedding day isn’t ironic , since it’s not as though it’s a given that every wedding day will have perfect sunny weather.

In a similar vein, a free ride when you’ve already paid or not taking good advice isn’t ironic either. The former is unusual and the latter is something that’s interesting.

Types of irony

To help you better understand irony and how to use it in your writing, we’ll dive into five different types.

Verbal irony 

Verbal irony is when the intended meaning of a phrase is the opposite of what is meant. It’s a figure of speech used to emphasize the contrast in meanings. It’s often used as a way of injecting witty humor into someone’s speech or writing. 

There are many English expressions that epitomize verbal irony. Here are a few:

•  “Fat chance!”

•  “Clear as mud”

•  “As soft as concrete”

Verbal irony works best as a literary technique when the reader already knows the initial concepts. For instance, it’s common knowledge that concrete is hard, and mud is opaque.

As you might imagine, an ironic understatement creates contrast by undermining the impact of something, despite the subject itself being quite severe. 

In J.D. Salinger’s novel, The Catcher in the Rye , the character Holden Caulfield says, “I have to have this operation. It isn’t very serious. I have this tiny little tumor on the brain.”

Of course, having a brain tumor is a serious health issue, which Holden downplays in this excerpt. 

Alternatively, an ironic overstatement makes something insignificant sound like a bigger deal than it is to highlight how minor it is. Statements like these are figurative language and are the opposite of their literal meaning.

Say you go for a job interview, but it’s a trainwreck because you spill coffee on your brand-new suit, are 20 minutes late, and forget the interviewer’s name. Your partner asks you how it went and you say, “Aced it, best interview of my life” –– that’s an ironic overstatement.

If verbal irony sounds like it’s pretty familiar, it’s because sarcasm is actually a form of verbal irony (more on that later.) 

Dramatic irony 

A favorite in many famous movies and books, dramatic irony is a literary device where the reader or spectator knows critical information but the characters don’t. 

One of the most famous examples of literary dramatic irony is in O. Henry’s short story, “The Gift of the Magi.” A recently married couple chooses independently to sacrifice and sell what means most to them to buy a Christmas gift for the other. 

But in a twist of fate, the gifts they receive from each other are meant for the prized possessions they just sold. Although their sacrifices show the love they have for one another, the gifts they receive are actually useless.

Dramatic irony is a staple in horror movies. For example, the main character hides under the bed where the killer is hiding (the audience knows the killer is there but the protagonist doesn’t.) This form of irony is a great way of keeping the audience on the edge of their seats and building tension. 

Tragic irony 

In tragic irony, a subset of dramatic irony, the words, and actions of the characters contradict reality, often in a tragic or devastating way, which the readers or spectators realize.

Tragic irony came to define many ancient Greek tragedies. For instance, in Sophocles’ “Oedipus Rex,” the audience can see what Oedipus is blind to: he’s actually killing his own father. 

William Shakespeare was also a fan of using tragic irony to keep the audience gripped to a compelling, often sorrowful plotline. In Romeo and Juliet , when Romeo is alerted of Juliet’s death, he assumes the tragic news to be true. 

But the audience knows that Juliet has, in fact, just faked her death with the help of a potion. Romeo, on the other hand, thinks Juliet is dead and, as a result, commits suicide.

Socratic irony  

Socratic irony gets its name from the moral philosopher Socrates, who would often fake ignorance to reveal someone’s misconstrued assumptions. It’s one of the more manipulative types of irony and is one way of getting information out of someone that can then be used against them later. 

You might recognize socratic irony in courtroom scenes from legal dramas like Suits . Lawyers often use rhetorical tricks, like socratic irony , to get someone to confess or admit something. 

Socratic irony is also perfect for comedies, too. In a classic scene from the American comedy T he Office , Michael knows that Dwight lied about going to the dentist. When Dwight returns, Michael goes for some rather ineffective rhetorical questioning to try and catch Dwight out. 

Situational irony 

Situational irony or the “irony of events” is when the reality contradicts an expected outcome. 

In movies and literature, situational irony ensures things are unpredictable and interesting. After all, it’d be dull if the plot turned out exactly how we expected every time. It’s not how life or fictional storytelling works. 

With situational irony, we learn at the same time as the characters that our expectations are different from reality.

For example in American Psycho , Patrick Bateman confesses to committing a string of murders but is laughed off. We anticipate that he’ll be punished for his crimes, but he isn’t, making it a perfect example of situational irony.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is another story full of examples of situational irony. Dorothy longs to go home and fulfills the wizard’s demanding list of tasks only to find out she had the ability to return home all along. The lion who appears to be a coward is actually courageous and the scarecrow who wants to be intelligent is actually a genius.

Situational irony is linked to the concept of cosmic irony –– when the universe or gods seemingly conspire for an event for its own amusement. 

Cosmic irony is a subcategory of situational irony but is defined by the inclusion of a supernatural element. There’s still a situation where the reality and expectation are different but there is another element involved –– a higher power if you will. This could be god, the universe, or fate. 

Remember that the “irony of events” isn’t the same as a coincidence or plain bad luck. 

What’s the difference between irony and sarcasm?

Ah, “sarcasm the lowest form of wit” as the writer, Oscar Wilde, once said. While Wilde wasn’t a fan, a sarcastic jibe here and there isn’t always bad news.

People often mix up irony and sarcasm. As we touched on briefly above, sarcasm is actually a type of irony. 

So the difference between sarcasm and irony is pretty small and nuanced. Once you’re clear on how sarcasm fits into irony, you won’t find yourself identifying sarcasm as irony again.

In its simplest form, irony refers to situations where the outcome is the opposite of what you or the reader expect. 

If a prediction is black, then the outcome would be white. Not off-white or gray, it would have to be totally the opposite of black. 

Sarcasm, on the other hand, is a form of expression that’s generally pointed at a person with the objective of criticizing or denigrating someone. Sarcasm is usually insincere speech and can have a condescending tone to it, with the purpose of insulting or embarrassing someone. 

Let’s take a look at both verbal irony and sarcasm side by side:

Verbal irony — Wife saying, “What a beautiful stormy day for a swim.”

Sarcasm —  Husband saying to the same wife, “The middle of the hurricane season was a great time for a vacation out here.” 

See how with verbal irony, it’s ironic because the weather isn’t beautiful for swimming. Instead, the opposite is true –– it’s unpleasant and sometimes dangerous to swim during a storm. 

But sarcasm is making a sneering comment about choosing to go on vacation in the middle of hurricane season. When you see the two statements together, it’s easier to see how they differ from one another. 

Let’s look at some more sarcasm examples:

•  After someone tells a boring or never-ending story: “That’s so fascinating.”

•  After failing your driving test: “Well, that went well.” 

•  Self-deprecating: “ Dinner is burned, I’m such a great chef. ”

To easily differentiate between sarcasm and irony, remember that irony applies to situations while sarcasm is a form of expression. In a way, sarcasm is like irony dressed up with a sassy attitude.

Key takeaways: irony

So, that’s a wrap. Irony isn’t all that difficult to wrap your head around when you know what to look for. Ultimately, irony is just the use of words to express something that’s the opposite of the literal meaning.

When used correctly, irony helps you inject humor and wit into your writing while keeping things interesting and unexpected for the reader. 

Looking to make your writing more engaging? Try a free trial with Writer today. 

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• What Is Irony? | Examples, Types & Definition

What Is Irony? | Examples, Types & Definition

Published on June 20, 2024 by Magedah Shabo .

Irony occurs when events or words are the opposite of what is expected, creating a sense of surprise, humor , or deeper meaning in literature, rhetoric, and everyday situations.

Table of contents

What is irony, 3 types of irony, irony vs sarcasm, frequently asked questions about irony.

Irony involves a clear contrast between what is expected or intended and what actually happens or is expressed. It reveals unexpected outcomes or contradictions that challenge conventional expectations, prompting deeper thought and emotional responses.

As a rhetorical and literary device, irony plays an essential role in enriching narratives, conveying complex ideas, and engaging audiences by adding layers of meaning and nuance to communication and storytelling.

There are three common types of irony:

Situational irony

Verbal irony, dramatic irony.

Situational irony occurs when events starkly contrast with expectations. As a literary plot device, it is often used to emphasize the difference between appearance and reality, surprising the audience and creating memorable plot twists.

The effects of situational irony include provoking thought and evoking a range of emotions, from humor to tragedy. Situational irony can occur in literature, film, and theater to engage audiences and enhance storytelling.

Verbal irony occurs when someone says something dramatically different from what they mean. As a literary and rhetorical device, it is used to convey sarcasm, humor, or criticism by contrasting the literal meaning of the words with the intended message.

The effects of verbal irony include adding layers of meaning, provoking thought, and evoking a range of emotions from amusement to disdain. Verbal irony is commonly found in literature, everyday conversation, and speeches to engage audiences and enhance communication.

Dramatic irony is a plot device that involves revealing information to the audience that some or all of the characters do not know. This technique can create humor, suspense, or emotional impact.

In tragedy, dramatic irony is also called “tragic irony,” and it serves to heighten emotions such as fear, sympathy, or a sense of impending doom. In comedy, dramatic irony often involves humorous misunderstandings.

Irony involves a contrast between expectation and reality. It can be situational, dramatic, or verbal.

Sarcasm is a specific type of verbal irony that conveys mockery or disdain by saying the opposite of what one means.

While irony is a technique used in satire, satire is a broad genre that aims to provoke thought and promote change.

• Irony involves a contrast between expectation and reality, highlighting discrepancies through situational irony, verbal irony , or dramatic irony.
• Satire uses humor , irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to criticize and expose the flaws or vices of individuals, societies, or institutions. It aims to provoke thought and promote change.

An example of irony in literature is in O. Henry’s “The Gift of the Magi,” where Jim and Della each sacrifice their most prized possession to buy a gift for the other: Della sells her hair for a chain, and Jim sells his watch for combs.

The situational irony lies in the fact that Jim and Della’s well-intentioned sacrifices make their gifts useless. This irony highlights the idea that the true value of gifts lies in the love and sacrifice they represent.

Socratic irony is the technique of posing simple questions, as if one were ignorant, to expose the ignorance or flaws in others’ arguments. The irony lies in the fact that by feigning ignorance, you can lead people to reveal their own misunderstandings or contradictions, encouraging deeper reflection and critical thinking. This method is a key part of the Socratic method of teaching and dialogue.

Example : In Plato’s dialogues, Socrates questions Euthyphro about the nature of piety. Socrates pretends not to understand what piety is and asks Euthyphro to explain it. Through a series of questions, Socrates exposes the inconsistencies in Euthyphro’s definitions, showing that Euthyphro does not actually understand the concept as well as he claims.

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• Literary Terms
• Definition & Examples
• When & How to Use Irony

I. What is Irony?

Irony (pronounced ‘eye-run-ee’) is when there are two contradicting meanings of the same situation, event, image, sentence, phrase, or story.  In many cases, this refers to the difference between expectations and reality.

For example, if you go sight-seeing anywhere in the world today, you will see crowds of people who are so busy taking cell-phone pictures of themselves in front of the sight that they don’t actually look at what they came to see with their own eyes.  This is ironic, specifically, situational irony . This one situation has two opposing meanings that contradict expectations: (1) going to see a sight and prove that you were there (2) not enjoying the thing you went to see.

Irony is often used for critical or humorous effect in literature, music, art, and film (or a lesson).  In conversation, people often use verbal irony to express humor, affection, or emotion, by saying the opposite of what they mean to somebody who is expected to recognize the irony.  “I hate you” can mean “I love you”—but only if the person you’re saying it to already knows that! This definition is, of course, related to the first one (as we expect people’s words to reflect their meaning) and in most cases, it can be considered a form of sarcasm.

II. Examples of Irony

A popular visual representation of irony shows a seagull sitting on top of a “no seagulls” sign. The meaning of the sign is that seagulls are not allowed in the area.  The seagull sitting on the sign not only contradicts it, but calls attention to the absurdity of trying to dictate where seagulls may or may not go, which makes us laugh.

Another example is a staircase leading up to a fitness center, with an escalator running alongside it. All the gym patrons are using the escalator and no one is on the stairs. Given that this is a fitness center, we’d expect that everyone should be dedicated to health and exercise, and so they would use the free exercise offered by the stairs. But instead, they flock to the comfort of the escalator, in spite of the fact that they’ve come all this way just to exercise. Once again, our expectations are violated and the result is irony and humor.

Aleister Crowley, a famous English mystic of the early twentieth century, who taught that a person could do anything if they mastered their own mind, died of heroin addiction. This is ironic because the way he died completely contradicts what he taught.

III. The Importance of Irony

The most common purpose of irony is to create humor and/or point out the absurdity of life. As in the all of the examples above, life has a way of contradicting our expectations, often in painful ways. Irony generally makes us laugh, even when the circumstances are tragic, such as in Aleister Crowley’s failure to beat his addiction. We laugh not because the situations were tragic, but because they violate our expectations.  The contrast between people’s expectations and the reality of the situations is not only funny, but also meaningful because it calls our attention to how wrong human beings can be.  Irony is best when it points us towards deeper meanings of a situation.

IV. Examples of Irony in Literature

In O. Henry’s famous short story The Gift of the Magi , a husband sells his prized watch so that he can buy combs as a gift for his wife. Meanwhile, the wife sells her beautiful hair so she can buy a watch-chain for her husband. The characters ’ actions contradict each other’s expectations and their efforts to give each other gifts make the gifts useless.

Edgar Allen Poe’s The Cask of Amantillado is full of verbal and situational irony, including the name of the main character. He’s called Fortunato (Italian for “fortunate”), in spite of the fact that he’s extremely unlucky throughout the story.

Water, water everywhere, nor any a drop to drink.

This line from Samuel Coleridge’s “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” describes the dark irony of a sailor dying of thirst on his boat while he is surrounded by water.

V. Examples of Irony in Pop Culture

Alannis Morisette’s popular song “Ironic” contains such lyrics as:

Rain on your wedding day A free ride when you’ve already paid Good advice that you just didn’t take

These are not examples of irony . They’re just unfortunate coincidences. However, the fact that her song is called “Ironic” and yet has such unironic lyrics is itself ironic. The title contradicts the lyrics of the song. It isn’t, so your expectations are violated.

In Disney’s Aladdin , Aladdin wishes for riches and power so that he can earn the right to marry Princess Jasmine. Thanks to the genie’s magic, he gets all the wealth he could ask for and parades through the streets as a prince. But, ironically, this makes him unattractive to the princess and he finds himself further away from his goal than he was as a poor beggar. In this case, it’s the contrast between Aladdin’s expectations and results which are ironic.

Related terms

Sarcasm is a kind of verbal irony that has a biting or critical tone, although it can be used to express affection between friends It is one of the most common forms of irony in fiction and in real life. We’ve all heard people use verbal irony to mock, insult, or poke fun at someone or something. For example, here’s a famous sarcastic line from The Princess Bride :

Truly, you have a dizzying intellect.

In the scene, Wesley is insulting the intelligence of Vizzini the Sicilian using verbal irony (the word “truly” makes it even more ironic, since Wesley is reassuring Vizzini of the truth of an untrue statement). The line is both ironic and mean, and therefore it’s sarcastic . One needs to be a little careful with sarcasm, since you can easily hurt people’s feelings or make them angry.

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Irony - Definition, Types, Uses and Examples

Learning the figures of speech can help you make your writing a lot more interesting and descriptive. In this article, you will be introduced to the meaning and definition of irony, how it is formed and how it can be used. Also, check out the examples given for a clear idea of how irony works.

Table of Contents

What is irony – meaning and definition, the different types of irony, why use irony, some common examples of irony from literature, some examples of irony from movies and tv series, frequently asked questions on irony.

Irony is a rhetorical device that is used to express an intended meaning by using language that conveys the opposite meaning when taken literally. The Oxford Learner’s Dictionary defines the term ‘irony’ as “the use of words that say the opposite of what you really mean, often as a joke and with a tone of voice that shows this”.

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, irony is defined as “the use of words to express something other than and especially the opposite of the literal meaning”, and according to the Collins Dictionary, irony is “a subtle form of humour which involves saying things that you do not mean”. The Cambridge Dictionary defines irony as “the use of words that are the opposite of what you mean, as a way of being funny”.

Did you know that there are various types of irony? Well, if you did, great job! Those who did not know, here is a chance to learn what they are and the ways in which they can be used.

There are three main types of irony that can be employed when you are writing a short story, a play, an anecdote or even a novel. Take a look at each of the following.

• Dramatic irony is the type in which one or more characters in a story or a play is given no idea of a very important piece of information that would alter their lives and also change the course of the plot completely. Dramatic irony keeps the readers excited and sustains the interest in the happenings of the story. It lets the audience have sympathy for the characters in the story, instils fear in them and builds suspense. In simple terms, when dramatic irony is employed, the audience knows something that the characters have not yet found out or understood. William Shakespeare is known widely for the use of dramatic irony in most of his tragic plays. Christopher Marlowe, Jane Austen, Jonathan Swift and Thomas Hardy are some of the writers who made effective use of dramatic irony in their writings.
• Situational irony is the one in which the events in the story or play give the readers a result that is different from what they had been expecting to occur. This type of irony puts the protagonist of the story/play in a situation that demands a heavy price in order to get to their goal. It also aids in creating a ‘twist’. Who doesn’t like a good twist, right? This situation would push the character to a whole new level. It can also be used to communicate an intended message or moral to the audience. O. Henry, Kate Chopin, Christopher Marlowe, Jane Austen, William Shakespeare and Guy de Maupassant are some of the writers who made good use of situational irony in their works.
• Verbal irony is when the author has put the characters’ lines in such a way that the intended meaning is the exact opposite of what is being said. Unlike the other two types of irony, when verbal irony is used, the character knows the truth but uses irony intentionally in a sarcastic manner to reveal the hidden truth. Jonathan Swift, William Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Edgar Allen Poe and George Bernard Shaw are known for the use of verbal irony in their works.

There are specific reasons why authors make use of a particular rhetorical device in their writing. While some of it could be to make comparisons and indicate similarities, some others might to bring focus or create a humorous effect. Authors are seen using irony for some of the reasons given below:

• The first reason behind using irony is to emphasise a point that requires attention or the one that indicates a noticeable change in the character or plot.
• The next reason would be to make the readers pause for a second and think about what the author is actually trying to convey.
• Another reason is to depict the variance between what is happening, how everything at the moment occurs and what had been expected of the characters or the plot.
• Also, to induce a tone of sarcasm through the characters’ lines or the narrator’s description.

Above all this, the success of irony is achieved only when the target audience is able to realise the difference between what is being said and what is actually occurring.

Examples of Irony

Here are a few examples of irony for your reference.

Have a look at the following examples of the three types of irony from literature.

Examples of Dramatic Irony

• In the play, ‘Othello’ by William Shakespeare, Iago tries to manipulate Othello into believing that he is an honest man.

“Othello: I think thou dost.

And for I know thou ‘rt full of love and honesty

And weigh’st thy words before thou giv’st them breath…”

• William Shakespeare applies dramatic irony in the play ‘Macbeth’ as well. In the below lines, we see King Duncan expressing his absolute trust over Macbeth who would kill him.

“He was a gentleman on whom I built an absolute trust”

• In ‘Oedipus Rex’ by Sophocles, you can see Oedipus saying that he would not fail to make sure to find who the murderer of his father is.
• “On these accounts I, as for my own father,

Will fight this fight, and follow out every clue,

Seeking to seize the author of his murder.”

Examples of Situational Irony

• Samuel Taylor Coleridge uses situational irony in his poem, ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’ in the lines,

“Water, water, every where,

Nor any drop to drink.”

• In William Shakespeare’s play, ‘Romeo and Juliet’, you can see a great use of situational irony in the scene where Romeo finds Juliet lying as if dead and so kills himself. He says,

“O my love, my wife! Death, that hath sucked the honey of thy breath, Hath had no power yet upon thy beauty.”

Juliet is seen waking up later to see that Romeo had killed himself, and so kills herself too.

• ‘The Gift of the Magi’ by O. Henry has an apt example of situational irony. The characters in the story – the husband and wife are seen to sell off their priced possessions in order to get the other a gift they would love. They, however, end up buying gifts that both of them can no longer use.

Examples of Verbal Irony

• The moment anyone thinks of verbal irony, the first example that comes to mind would be Antony’s speech about Brutus being an honourable man in the play, ‘Julius Caesar’ by William Shakespeare. He is seen to describe all the good that Caesar did and establish that in spite of all that, Antony said that Caesar was ambitious and that he was an honourable man. This is done for quite some time finally letting the audience understand who was in fact behind the death of Julius Caesar.
• “I thrice presented him a kingly crown,

Which he did thrice refuse: was this ambition?

Yet Brutus says he was ambitious;

And, sure, he is an honourable man.”

• In the novel, ‘Pride and Prejudice’ by Jane Austen, Darcy’s first impression of Elizabeth Bennet was contrary to the final outcome, hence making it an instance of verbal irony. He says, “She is tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt me” , but ends up loving and marrying her in the end.
• In the play, ‘Pygmalion’ by George Bernard Shaw, you can see Mrs. Higgins using verbal irony to react to Prof. Higgins’ attitude and arrogance towards Eliza.

Higgins: ‘Don’t you dare try this game on me. I taught it to you; and it doesn’t take me in. Get up and come home; and don’t be a fool.”

Mrs. Higgins: ‘Very nicely put, indeed, Henry. No woman could resist such an invitation.”

To make learning irony a little more fun, here are a few examples of irony in some of the most-watched movies and TV series. Check out the examples below and try to analyse if you were able to see the irony in it when you watched the movie/TV series.

• In the movie Maleficent, you see Aurora going back to find Maleficent, the witch who cursed her when she was born, and developing a loving relationship with her. She, however, leaves her to go see her father and ends up in the dungeon pricking her finger on the needle and falling to eternal sleep, thereby fulfilling the curse. The whole time, the audience knows about all this and all of these events can be said to bring the effect of dramatic irony in the movie.
• Snow White is seen taking the apple that would put her into a deep sleep as the Wicked Stepmother had cursed in the movie, ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’. It is an example of dramatic irony because the audience knows all along that the apple was the cursed apple and what it would do to Snow White.
• In ‘Aladdin’, the title character is given an opportunity to make three wishes and he is found wishing to be a prince and have all the riches in the world in order to marry Jasmine, the princess. However, his wish turns out to be ironic because the princess does not seem to be in any way attracted to him because of the riches and does not want to marry him.
• In ‘F.R.I.E.N.D.S.’, the TV Series, Rachel is seen quitting her job as a waitress as she was fed up of serving coffee. Once she quits, she is so sure she does not have to serve coffee ever again. It becomes ironic when she gets a job in a field of her liking and all she has to do is serve coffee.

What is irony?

Irony is a rhetorical device that is used to express an intended meaning by using language that conveys the opposite meaning when taken literally.

What is the definition of irony?

The Oxford Learner’s Dictionary defines the term ‘irony’ as “the use of words that say the opposite of what you really mean, often as a joke and with a tone of voice that shows this”. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, irony is defined as “the use of words to express something other than and especially the opposite of the literal meaning”, and according to the Collins Dictionary, irony is “a subtle form of humour which involves saying things that you do not mean”. The Cambridge Dictionary defines irony as “the use of words that are the opposite of what you mean, as a way of being funny”.

What are the types of irony?

There are three main types of irony and they are:

• Dramatic irony
• Situational irony
• Verbal irony

Give some examples of irony.

Given below are a few examples of irony that you can refer to.

Seeking to seize the author of his murder.” ( ‘Oedipus Rex’ by Sophocles)

And, sure, he is an honourable man.” (‘Julius Caesar’ by William Shakespeare)

• “She is tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt me.” (‘Pride and Prejudice’ by Jane Austen)
• “O my love, my wife! Death, that hath sucked the honey of thy breath, Hath had no power yet upon thy beauty.” (‘Romeo and Juliet’ by William Shakespeare)
• “He was a gentleman on whom I built an absolute trust.” (‘Macbeth’ by William Shakespeare)

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What Is Irony? Irony Examples and More

Suitable for grades 6+, more content, what is irony, verbal irony with examples, situational irony with examples, dramatic irony with examples, where does irony come from.

Irony is a figure of speech . Say It’s raining cats and dogs outside. You and your friend still have a long walk home, and you’re already soaked. You can see lightning in the distance and hear loud booms of thunder.

But your friend turns to you and says, “Isn’t it such a nice day out?”

That’s irony, and it's a figure of speech.

There are many different types of irony, but generally, it’s all about expectations. You expect one thing, but then something else happens .

Examples of Irony are everywhere: in conversations, books, movies, and even memes on the internet!

Different Types of Irony

There are many kinds of irony; some types of irony are used to dramatize, but most of the time, the definition of irony is to spin the literal meaning to make the statement humorous.

Verbal irony is when someone says something different than what they mean. Most people are familiar with sarcasm , but verbal irony also appears in other types of figures of speech. Here are the four most important types of verbal irony.

Examples of Verbal Irony

• You arrived 10 minutes late to the movies and missed the first scene. You turn to your friend and say, “This is the worst day of my life!”

This is an example of overstatement or hyperbole . In this form of verbal irony, your statement is more dramatic than the situation requires. Its literal meaning is much more dramatic than the situation needs, which emphasizes the point.

An understatement is the opposite of an overstatement. Rather than being “over the top,” you purposefully make the situation seem less important than it is . 

• A bully has been tormenting you all year. But when a teacher asks you about it, you say, “We’re not the best of friends.”

Instead of “overreacting” as you would with overstatement, you’re downplaying the bullying with an understatement.

Sarcasm and irony are often used synonymously, but they’re not actually the same thing. While sarcastic people say something different than what they actually mean (verbal irony), they also intend to make fun of or mock someone else .

• You’ve been looking everywhere for your glasses. And after ten minutes of searching, you find that they’ve been on top of your head the whole time. Your friend says, “Great find, Sherlock.”

There’s cruelty or maliciousness to sarcasm that isn’t necessarily a part of other forms of verbal irony.

Socratic irony has to do with manipulation . In this form of irony, you pretend not to know something in order to get the other person to admit they are wrong .

For instance, you may get someone else to confess a secret or admit they were lying. But you do it by asking questions you already know the answers too.

It’s a trap!

• Well, gee! I have no idea who left the empty plate in the refrigerator.

Examples Of Verbal Irony And Sarcasm

Flip the flashcard for more examples.

What type of irony is I will die if he asks me to dance!

What type of irony is It only rained a little bit! (When it has stormed)

Understatement

What type of irony is I have no idea how the gifts go there! (You probably have an idea)

Situational irony also has to do with expectations, but you don’t need words. Instead, situational irony is when you expect one thing to occur, but something else happens .

It doesn’t have to be funny, mocking, or malicious. It just has to be different from your expectations.

• You have a stomachache, so you go to the doctor’s office. But the doctor isn’t there because she is at home in bed with the flu.
• You cut your finger while trying to open a box of adhesive bandages.
• You go on a hike but get lost and run out of food and water. After wandering for many hours trying to find your way home, you end up sleeping in the woods. But when you wake up, you look around and see your house right in front of you.
• You are an award-winning engineer, and you develop the most advanced, strongest material for building roads. Everyone is very excited because there won’t be any more potholes. But the first person to ride down the street on a bicycle accidentally cracks the pavement.
• The cheese maker is allergic to lactose.

Checkpoint ✔️ Drag the meaning to the corresponding type of irony.

Feigning ignorance to expose other people's ignorance.

Exaggerating statements to make them bigger and more dramatic.

Using irony to mock or show contempt humorously.

Presenting something as less important than it is.

The cause and effect of a situation that wasn't expected.

Situational

Dramatic irony is a type of irony found in works such as books, plays, or movies. In this type of irony, the audience knows more than the characters within the work. Therefore, you know what will happen before the characters do, which creates tension.

If you like horror movies, you’re probably used to dramatic irony. Often, directors use dramatic irony to increase suspense.

• You might know there’s a murderer in the closet, but the character unknowingly opens the door anyway.
• A character is on the top of a crumbling cliff and says, "it's so beautiful, I could die," before they fall off the cliff.
• In Romeo and Juliet, their families stop fighting each other because of the deaths of their youngest children.
• A couple goes to a masquerade ball and starts talking, but because they don't who they're speaking to, they tell the other person a secret.
• A person goes to the airport to apologize to their partner, but their partner has left the airport to go and apologize to them.

One benefit of adding dramatic irony to your writing is to get your readers more involved in the plot. They’ll think, “I want to tell the character what’s happening!” – just as you would if you knew there was a cliff that a movie character couldn’t see but was about to drive off.

Every country and language has forms of irony or at least examples of it. The actual meaning of a phrase is spun around and given a whole new definition of irony to feign ignorance, be sarcastic, or even dramatize a statement's ironic nature.

The term  irony  has many historical roots. Socratic irony, in particular, stems from the Greek comic character Eiron. This character uses his wit to triumph over the outlandish character Alazon. It is the inspiration for the Platonic dialogues, a series of ironic stories in literature developed by the Greek philosopher Plato in the 4th Century BC.

The three most common types of irony are verbal, dramatic, and situational.

Dramatic irony, in particular, depends on the structure of the work rather than words and is used in both theatre and poetical irony to draw the audience in. In contrast, situational irony is more about the outcome of a situation, where the result is different from what was expected. Some major types of situational irony in literature are in Shakespeare's  Romeo and Juliet , where Romeo kills himself after learning of his lover's death despite her being alive. There are also many examples of situational irony in everyday life, which inspired the 1996 hit song by Alanis Morissette,  Ironic .

Regardless of whether you've encountered it before, forms of irony are a great figure of speech to use in your writing.

Irony comes in many forms, and you can find it in both casual conversations, great works of literature, and poetic irony – plus everywhere in between!

As you read books, watch movies, see plays, or simply talk to your friends, try to identify verbal, situational, and dramatic irony. Irony is a fantastic way to enrich language and storytelling.

Also, check out the other pages on this site! There’s lots of great information about other literary terms and grammar topics.

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Irony: Definition, Types and Useful Examples

What is Irony? There may be many times that you will hear the use of irony in an English conversation or see it in written text, but it can be confusing to understand if you are not sure how it is used. In this article, we are going to look at what irony is and what different types of irony there are.

Irony is a fascinating linguistic and literary device used in spoken or written forms to create a contrast between expectation and reality. It often presents hidden or contradictory meanings, challenging readers and listeners to look beyond the surface level of the words or situations being presented. As a versatile technique, irony is employed for various purposes, ranging from humor and sarcasm to highlighting incongruities and slight absurdities in life.

Irony Definition

Irony is a form of the  figure of speech in which the person delivering the ironic statement says something which is completely opposite to what they mean or what the reality of the situation is. Irony can also be used to set the tone of a situation without the use of any speech at all.

Irony can be used in a sarcastic sense to display the opposite meaning of what is happening in reality.

Types of Irony

Irony is a literary device used to express a contrast between expectations and reality. There are three main types of irony: verbal irony, situational irony, and dramatic irony. Each type serves a unique purpose in storytelling and helps to create an engaging narrative.

Verbal Irony

The first type of irony is verbal irony which is used in speech. It is used when a person wants to express something using speech which says the opposite of what they mean. For example, if it were a very cold day, a person using verbal irony might say something like; “Isn’t it warm today!”

Verbal irony occurs when a speaker says something but means the opposite. It is a type of figurative language that helps to emphasize the contrast in meanings. Verbal irony is often used as a way of injecting witty humor, sarcasm or criticism. Some key elements to recognize verbal irony include:

• Intention: The speaker deliberately uses language that carries a different or opposite meaning to their intended message.
• Understanding: The listener must recognize the contrast between the literal statement and the intended meaning.

Examples of verbal irony include:

• Saying “Oh, great!” when something goes wrong.
• A person looking at a messy room and saying “Nice and tidy, isn’t it?”

Situational Irony

The second type of irony is situational irony . This is used when a situation does not have the outcome which was expected in the first instance. For example, if a fire station were to burn down, this would situational irony as this is the building that is meant to protect from fire.

Situational irony occurs when the outcome of a situation is opposite to what is expected. This type of irony often highlights the disparity between human intentions and the unpredictability of life. Situational irony can be found in various contexts, such as real-life situations, stories, or jokes. A few key aspects of situational irony are:

• Incongruity: The actual outcome of events clashes with the expected outcome.
• Interpretation: The audience or reader can identify the ironic twist in the situation.

Examples of situational irony include:

• A fire station burning down.
• A traffic cop getting a parking ticket.

Dramatic Irony

The final type of irony is dramatic irony which is when an audience knows a situation or information which the character is not aware of. In a real-life situation, it is applied when something happens and the person within the situation is unaware of the true reality. For example, if a person were to say “I am so glad that I wasn’t in that car accident”, only to be involved in a car accident moments later, this would be dramatic irony.

Dramatic irony is a storytelling device where the audience or reader knows something that the characters in the story do not. This type of irony is most commonly found in plays, movies, and literature. Dramatic irony consists of three phases:

• Installation: The audience is informed of something the character does not know.
• Exploitation: The information is used to develop curiosity and an emotional response from the audience.
• Resolution: The events unfold after the character(s) learn the information.

Examples of dramatic irony include:

• In Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” the audience knows that Juliet is only pretending to be dead, but Romeo does not.
• In “To Kill a Mockingbird,” the reader knows that Boo Radley is a kind and gentle person, while the characters in the story wrongly believe he is a dangerous figure.

These three types of irony play crucial roles in literature and storytelling, allowing writers to create depth, humor, and emotional engagement in their works.

Irony: Purpose and Function

Irony is a literary device that highlights the contrast between appearance and reality. Its primary purpose is to engage readers in critical thinking and deepen their understanding of the material. One key role it plays is creating suspense through intentionally misleading or contradictory statements. This can lead to surprise when the true meaning is revealed. Furthermore, it can be used to accentuate character flaws, reveal hidden intentions, or emphasize central themes in a literary work.

In addition to suspense, irony can be utilized for humor. It is not always intended to be a negative or critical device; it can serve to underscore the delicate, complex nature of human experiences. This helps the reader gain a better appreciation for the story and its message.

Some examples of irony’s functions include:

• Contrast:  Irony can showcase the difference between expectations and reality, as well as the disparity between what is said and what is meant.
• Suspense:  By presenting information in an unexpected or contradictory manner, irony raises questions and keeps readers guessing about the outcome of a story.
• Surprise:  Revealing the true meaning or outcome through irony can create an effective twist, making the reader rethink their assumptions and gain new insights.

Irony can take various forms, such as verbal irony, situational irony, and dramatic irony. Each type contributes to the overall effectiveness of a literary work in different ways. To sum up, irony serves as a versatile tool in literature to enhance the reader’s experience by highlighting contrasts, creating suspense, and evoking surprise.

Employing Irony in Writing

Literary technique.

Irony serves as a powerful literary technique that can add depth and complexity to a story. By using irony, writers can create unexpected twists, reveal character flaws, or emphasize themes. There are three main types of irony in writing: verbal, situational, and dramatic.

• Verbal irony: When a character says one thing but means the opposite, often used for sarcasm or humor.
• Situational irony: When the opposite of what is expected happens, creating a surprising or amusing outcome.
• Dramatic irony: When the audience knows something that the characters do not, adding suspense or tension to the story.

Writers can enhance their storytelling with irony by carefully selecting the moments and situations where it will have the most significant impact.

Plot Device

Incorporating irony as a plot device can lead to compelling and unexpected storylines. Situational irony, in particular, can be an effective way of creating memorable moments that challenge readers’ expectations. For example, a character working towards a goal might experience a twist of fate that renders their efforts futile or even counterproductive. Using irony in this way adds depth to the plot, encourages readers to reflect upon the story’s themes, and can create emotional responses ranging from empathy to amusement.

Character Development

Irony also plays a vital role in character development by revealing different aspects of a character’s personality or contrasting their actions with their true intentions. Verbal irony can illustrate a character’s wit, sarcasm, or even their hidden fears and insecurities. Dramatic irony allows writers to create a gap between a character’s perception and reality, highlighting their flaws or misunderstandings. By using irony to develop characters, writers can create more nuanced and engaging protagonists, antagonists, and supporting characters.

Irony Examples

Notable examples, romeo and juliet.

In William Shakespeare’s tragic play  Romeo and Juliet , irony plays a significant role in enhancing the dramatic effect. One instance of dramatic irony occurs in Act 2, Scene 2, when Romeo overhears Juliet declaring her love for him, despite the feud between their families. The audience knows that Romeo is present and listening, while Juliet is unaware of his presence.

Another instance can be observed in Act 5, Scene 3, when Romeo perceives Juliet as dead and decides to take his own life to join her in the afterlife. The audience knows that Juliet is, in fact, alive but in a deep sleep induced by a potion. This creates tension and heightens the tragic irony of their untimely deaths – especially as Juliet finally awakens moments after Romeo’s death.

The Gift of the Magi

O. Henry’s short story  The Gift of the Magi  is often cited as a prime example of situational irony, wherein the ironic outcome contrasts with the characters’ expectations. In the story, a young couple, Jim and Della, each sell their most prized possession in order to buy a Christmas gift for one another.

Jim sells his antique gold watch to purchase a set of beautiful combs for Della’s long, flowing hair. Conversely, Della sells her hair to buy a gold chain to complement Jim’s watch. The outcome of their sacrifices reveals the situational irony: They are both left with gifts they cannot use, as each has unwittingly sacrificed the very thing the other’s gift was meant to enhance.

This example emphasizes the selfless love and devotion that the couple has for each other, while also highlighting the greater value of their love over material possessions.

Examples of Irony in Speaking

We are going to look at irony in spoken language which you may hear day today.

• “ What a kind daughter you have .” said the woman to the mother after her daughter just pushed her own child.
• “ How lovely of you to cook me dinner .” said the husband when he saw his wife had only made food for herself.
• “A ren’t we having some lovely weather .” said the man as he noticed it was raining again.
• “ Aren’t you an ugly fellow .” said to an extremely good looking man.
• Someone gets up late and rushes around to get ready to go to work, only to then realise it is Sunday.
• A police station which ends up getting broken into.
• “ Well, this is just the best day ever .” said the bus driver as his bus broke down for the third time that day.
• The bus is which is always late, arrives early on the only day I arrive at the bus stop late.
• Someone is trying to avoid becoming wet, then gets caught in a rain shower.
• A gardener who cannot grow his own garden plants.
• “This situation is as clear as mud .” said the woman when looking at the confusing job laid out in front of her.
• Using the term “ Oh brilliant ” when a situation is far from being brilliant.
• When you find yourself with a spout of bad luck, you might say “ I guess that today is my lucky day .”
• A Facebook post is complaining about how terrible Facebook is.

Examples of Irony in Literature

There are many times in which writers will use irony within their work to give a contrasting or contradictory meaning to it. We will now take a look at some examples of times irony has been used in written work

• In the Harry Potter series of books, Harry must kill his enemy, Lord Voldemort, but the only way to do this is by dying himself.
• In the play of the same name by William Shakespeare, Othello is fooled by his friend’s loyalty, but the audiences know that his friend is actually plotting against him.
• In the mythical story of Oedipus, he is told that he is going to kill his parents and so he flees in order to avoid doing this. In reality, the audience knows that Oedipus is, in fact, adopted and so will kill his biological parents, whom he does not know.
• In the play, Julius Caesar, written by William Shakespeare, Brutus, who has committed the murder of the title character is referred to as “an honorable man” numerous times.
• The story of Tess of the D’Urbervilles shows a potential suitor believing that he is about to meet a pure and virginal woman in Tess, but the audiences are aware that she, in fact, has a child and is not so pure.
• In the movie The night of the living dead, the main character manages to survive the night free from harm, but when the police arrive, they presume that he is a zombie and shoots him dead.
• In The necklace by Guy de Maupassant, a couple lose a necklace belonging to a friend and so make sacrifices to replace it. They then learn many years later that the necklace was not genuine.

Irony: Related Concepts

Sarcasm is a form of irony that involves using language in a mocking or contemptuous manner. Often, sarcasm is expressed through verbal irony, where the speaker means the opposite of what they are saying. For example:

• “Oh, great. Another rainy day.” (when the speaker dislikes rain)

Sarcasm can add humor, make a point, or express frustration in a conversation.

Humor is a broader concept that refers to the quality of being amusing or comical. It can involve irony, but also includes other forms like slapstick, puns, and observational comedy. Humor is used to entertain, lighten the mood, and create connections between people.

Wit is a sharp, intellectual form of humor that is often characterized by cleverness and quick thinking. It may involve irony, but can also include puns, metaphors, or amusing observations. Wit often relies on the element of surprise and the audience’s ability to understand the connections being made.

Satire is a genre of literature that uses humor, irony, and exaggeration to criticize or expose human vices, ineffective policies, or societal issues.

Some common satirical techniques include:

• Exaggeration: Presenting something as more extreme than it is to highlight its absurdity.
• Parody: Imitating the style or appearance of something to create a humorous effect.
• Reversal: Presenting the opposite of what is expected or normal.

A paradox is a statement, situation, or concept that appears to be contradictory but can still be true or contain elements of truth. For example, the famous paradox “This statement is false.” Paradoxes can be used to provoke thought, highlight problems or inconsistencies, and add depth to literary works. While not directly related to irony, paradoxes share the characteristic of revealing a deeper or hidden meaning beneath the surface.

In summary, irony is just one aspect of the many related concepts, such as sarcasm, humor, wit, satire, and paradox. These concepts all contribute to the richness of language, allowing for a range of expressions, styles, and purposes in communication.

Irony: Etymology and Definition

The term  irony  can be traced back to its Greek roots, with the word εἰρωνεία (eirōneía) meaning ‘dissimulation’ or ‘feigned ignorance.’ It later evolved into Middle English as ‘ireni.’ Irony can be broadly defined as a figure of speech where the intended meaning of a word or statement is opposite or different from its literal or usual meaning, often creating a humorous or sarcastic effect.

There are three main types of irony:

• Verbal irony  involves the use of words to convey a meaning that is opposite of their literal meaning. This is often used to create humor or sarcasm, and is a common literary device in everyday speech as well as literature.
• Dramatic irony  occurs when the audience knows something about a character’s situation that the character themselves does not know, creating a discrepancy between the character’s understanding and the audience’s knowledge. This type of irony is frequently employed in plays, movies, and television shows to heighten suspense or emotional impact.
• Situational irony  arises from a discrepancy between what is expected to happen and what actually happens, usually as a result of fate or coincidence. This form of irony is often employed in various forms of storytelling, such as novels and short stories, to create surprise or twist endings.

In addition to the three main types, some sources may also mention  cosmic irony  or  Socratic irony . Cosmic irony refers to the idea that a higher power, often a god or fate, is manipulating events to create ironic outcomes. On the other hand, Socratic irony is a teaching method used by Socrates that involves feigning ignorance to expose the weaknesses in another’s argument.

In conclusion, the concept of irony has evolved over time, with its current usage encompassing a wide range of rhetorical and literary techniques that involve the use of contradictions, discrepancies, and unexpected outcomes to create humor, suspense, or emotional impact.

Irony and Art

Irony plays a significant role in various forms of art, including visual arts. As a versatile and powerful literary device, irony allows artists to convey thought-provoking messages, challenge societal norms, and encourage viewers to question their perceptions.

In visual arts, irony is often used to create a sense of incongruity between the expected and the actual meaning of a work. Artists may employ visual, textual, or symbolic elements to express irony, leading viewers to reconsider the deeper meaning behind the piece. The use of irony in visual arts can create powerful commentaries on culture, politics, and human nature, engaging viewers on a deeper level beyond the initial aesthetic experience.

A common form of irony in visual arts is situational irony, where the opposite of what is expected occurs. Through the juxtaposition of conflicting images or symbols, artists can evoke surprise and provoke thought. This technique may be used to challenge conventional beliefs or offer unconventional perspectives on subject matter.

For example, a painter may depict a scene of war alongside a symbol of peace, such as a dove, creating an ironic contrast between the brutality of the situation and the ideal of harmony. The artist might use this situational irony to question the justification of war or point out the hypocrisy of promoting peace while engaging in violence.

Dramatic irony, another form of irony, can also be present in visual arts. In this case, artists may create a piece where the viewer has knowledge or understanding of the situation that the subjects within the artwork do not. Through the use of this technique, the artist can create tension, evoke emotion, or challenge the viewer’s assumptions about the subject matter.

In conclusion, irony is an effective tool for artists to communicate complex messages and evoke thought-provoking reactions in visual arts. By incorporating various types of irony into their work, artists can create engaging and powerful pieces that challenge and inspire viewers to think more deeply about the world around them.

Common Misconceptions

One common misconception about irony is that it is synonymous with coincidence or an unexpected outcome. However, irony, in its true essence, involves a discrepancy or contradiction between reality and expectations. Coincidence, on the other hand, refers to two or more events or circumstances that happen by chance, without a connecting factor or any notable opposing element.

Another misconception is that sarcasm and irony are interchangeable. While both involve a contrast between what is said and what is meant, there are key differences. Sarcasm is a type of verbal irony often used to mock or ridicule someone, with a negative or biting tone. Irony, in a broader sense, can be more subtle and found in various forms, such as situational and dramatic irony, which do not inherently involve sarcasm.

Many people also mistake incongruity for irony. Incongruity refers to the juxtaposition of conflicting or incompatible elements in a situation or work, creating an element of surprise or humor. Although irony may involve incongruous elements, they are not the same. Irony specifically highlights the gap between expectation and reality, while incongruity focuses on the unexpected combination of elements.

In addition to these misconceptions, some believe that irony is always obvious or humorous. However, irony can be subtle and may not always elicit laughter. A sophisticated use of irony can provoke thought, challenge assumptions, or convey deeper layers of meaning.

Some might also assume that irony is universally understood and appreciated. However, the perception and interpretation of irony can be influenced by cultural, social, and individual factors. Being familiar with certain literary, political, or historical contexts may be necessary to fully grasp an instance of irony.

In summary, it’s important to recognize the distinctions between irony and similar concepts such as coincidence, sarcasm, and incongruity, as well as acknowledging its varying degrees of subtlety and the potential influence of cultural factors. This understanding allows for a more accurate and discerning appreciation of irony in various contexts.

Having looked at the different types of irony, we can see that there are three main types, verbal, situational and dramatic irony. Each of these different types of irony is used in a different way but all convey the same meaning overall and that is using contradiction.

Irony can be used in both day-to-day conversations and situations as well as being regularly used within written texts such as novels, plays and songs.

Irony Infographic

Irony | Infographic 1

Irony | Infographic 2

FAQs on Irony

What is irony.

Irony is a literary or rhetorical device that states or shows the opposite of what is actually true for humorous or emphatic effect. It allows the actual meaning to be understood, even though it is expressed contrarily.

What are the different types of irony?

• Verbal irony: The intended meaning of a statement is the opposite of what is actually said. This can be used to express amusement, emphasize a point, or voice frustration or anger. Verbal irony can create suspense, tension, or a comic effect in literature.
• Dramatic irony: This type of irony occurs when the audience knows something that the main characters do not. It is also known as tragic irony. An example of dramatic irony can be found in William Shakespeare’s “Othello”, where Othello trusts Iago, but the audience knows better.
• Situational irony: This occurs when there is a discrepancy between the intended or expected result and the actual outcome. It can be used to create humor or surprise in a text.

How is irony used in literature?

Irony can serve various purposes in literature, such as:

• Creating humor: Irony can add a light or comedic touch to a story by presenting unexpected situations or statements.
• Emphasizing a point: It can be used to underscore the importance of a theme or idea, making it more memorable for the reader.
• Enhancing suspense or tension: Irony can create a sense of anticipation or unease by revealing information to the audience that the characters are not aware of.
• Highlighting the difference between appearance and reality: Irony is an effective device for exposing the gap between how things seem and how they actually are.

How can you recognize irony in a text?

To recognize irony in a text, look for the following clues:

• Incongruity between what is said and what is meant
• Unexpected or surprising outcomes
• An awareness or understanding on the part of the audience that the characters do not share
• Dialogue or situations that contain humorous or sarcastic undertones

Remember, irony can sometimes be subtle, and it may require careful reading and analysis to identify it in a text.

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A powerful tool to govern even the King

Irony Figure of Speech

Figures of speech are literary devices which are used to convey ideas that go beyond their literal meaning. In English, there are more than 200 different  types of figures of speech . 

The Irony figure of speech is one of them.

Irony Figure of speech Meaning

Verbal irony  is a figure of speech where the speaker says the exact opposite of what he or she intends. Some writers use verbal irony to indirectly criticise or mock.

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Dramatic irony  is a figure of speech where the audience or the reader knows more about the outcome of the story than the character in a film, novel or play.

Situational irony  is where there is deviance from what is often expected from the situation.

• John is the busiest man I know. Between gambling and sleeping, he barely finds time for work. (By saying he barely finds time to work, the writer intends to criticise John who is whiling away his time sleeping and gambling.)
• The most discreet person in the office is Lisa who cannot help discussing sordid details of her private life with anyone who comes her way. (By calling her ‘The most discreet person,’ the speaker goes on to narrate Lisa‘s indiscretion.)

Irony Figure of speech Examples

“Water, water, everywhere, And all the boards did shrink; Water, water, everywhere, Nor any drop to drink.” — Samuel Taylor Coleridge , The Rime of the Ancient Mariner In Sophocles‘ ‘Oedipus Rex‘, the King ventures out to find the murderer of King Laius without realising he himself is the murderer.

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15 Dramatic Irony Examples

Dalia Yashinsky (MA, Phil)

Dalia Yashinsky is a freelance academic writer. She graduated with her Bachelor's (with Honors) from Queen's University in Kingston Ontario in 2015. She then got her Master's Degree in philosophy, also from Queen's University, in 2017.

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Chris Drew (PhD)

This article was peer-reviewed and edited by Chris Drew (PhD). The review process on Helpful Professor involves having a PhD level expert fact check, edit, and contribute to articles. Reviewers ensure all content reflects expert academic consensus and is backed up with reference to academic studies. Dr. Drew has published over 20 academic articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education and holds a PhD in Education from ACU.

Dramatic irony is a literary device where the audience is aware of information or events taking place in a TV show (or movie or book) while the characters themselves are oblivious.

Dramatic irony is often comedic, and results in characters mocking each other without realizing that they are in fact mocking themselves in the exact same situation.

Consider the following as a simple example of dramatic irony: a man is mocking his friend for stepping into a puddle of mud while he also happens to be in a puddle of mud himself, though he is unaware of this.

Obivously, it’s irrational to make fun of someone for something that you are doing yourself, especially at that same exact moment! So, the butt of the joke becomes the person who started the joke in the first place.

Dramatic Irony Examples

The following are some examples of dramatic irony.

• A popular teenager bullies a girl at school for failing a test, but she herself hasn’t realized that she also failed.
• A fireman is putting out a fire set to a tree while his own uniform has been set alight.
• An old woman feels bad for the elderly people at an old age home while her children are filling out a form for her own admission in the same old-age home.
• A girl in a horror movie runs to hide in the same closet the bad guy is hiding in.
• A lunch lady serves children in the detention room spoiled food, not knowing her own daughter is in detention same day.
• A father is warning his children to be aware of pickpockets while his own wallet is being pulled out of his pocket from a pickpocketer behind his back.
• A man leans against a dangerous edge and explains how dangerous it is at the edge for children, without realizing he is about to slip at any moment.
• A woman badmouths her boss to a coworker over the phone, not knowing she is on speaker and her boss can hear everything.
• A small child is about to confess his love for a girl in his class not knowing she is about to move across the country with her parents the next day.
• A teenager scratches a car at a dealership to be rebellious, unaware of the fact that his own parents just put down an offer on the same car.

5 Dramatic Irony Examples in Film and Literature

1. little rascals.

Scenario: The children can’t find a fire station despite the fact it’s visible in the scene behind them.

In the 1994 film The Little Rascals , the children cause a fire in their clubhouse. Two of the boys run to a public phone to call the fire brigade.

One boy picks up the phone then turns to his friend: “Quick! What’s the number for 9-1-1?”

His friend shrugs, so the boys leave the phone and run back to their clubhouse to put the fire out themselves. As the boys run off the screen, the camera pans across the street from the phone booth, displaying a fire station.

This is an example of dramatic irony because we know more than the boys. The fact that they have the knowledge at their fingertips (The number for 9-1-1 is 9-1-1!) and there’s a fire station right there is ironic: they know more than they realize. The solution is right there, but they don’t reach for it, and to the audience, this comes across as hilarious.

2. Toy Story

Scenario: Buzz Lightyear thinks he’s a superhero. We, the audience, know otherwise, which leads to some hilarious and suspenseful scenarios.

The plot of Toy Story is itself based in dramatic irony: the toys are alive, but none of the humans know this. We, the audience, know this, and the toys themselves are aware too. 

The movie starts with Buzz Lightyear, a new toy and member of Andy’s toy collection. Through the course of the movie, Buzz feels as if he is a real space ranger, and not just a toy.

Buzz believes he can fly, shoot lasers, and commit fully to his duties as a space ranger.

The audience, as well as the characters in the movie are well aware of the fact that Buzz is indeed just a toy, (without the special powers that his namesake suggests). Here is a clear case of dramatic irony that takes place in the Toy Story franchise films.

3. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Scenario: Snow White has no idea that the old woman is actually the witch who wants to place a spell of neverending sleep on her, and the apple is poisoned. The audience, on the other hand, are aware all along.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is a Brother’s Grimm fairy tale, and another story heavily based in dramatic irony. 

When Snow White finds shelter with the seven dwarves, she allows an old woman into the home even when she was warned by the dwarves not to let anyone inside.

Snow White continues to buy an apple from the strange old woman in exchange for a strand of her hair.

Dramatic irony takes place in this scene since Snow White has no idea that the old woman is actually the witch who wants to place a spell of neverending sleep on her, and the apple is poisoned.

The audience is well aware of this throughout, though Snow White herself is not. This works to showcase the concept of dramatic irony in a film or story, and illustrates the ‘dramatic’ effect it has in keeping the audience engrossed in the plot of the story.

4. Beauty and the Beast

Summary: Belle doesn’t know the Beast is actually a handsome prince while we (as the audience) do. Throughout, the movie plays on her lack of knowledge to create suspense.

The classic Disney movie, Beauty and the Beast uses dramatic irony to add suspense and compel the audience to the story until its very end.

Everyone has seen Beauty and the Beast, (at least I think?) While admittedly a demented plot,  Belle is held captive by the “Beast”, who, in actuality, is a prince that’s been placed under a spell until he proves his moral worthiness and love for another person. At which point, and in true Disney fashion: the spell will be broken.

It’s a Disney movie; but it’s also an excellent representation of dramatic irony: Belle believes he is a Beast in every sense of the term.

We know, along with the Beast himself, that he is in fact an attractive prince put under a spell.

Since we know this, and we know that Belle does not know, we are that much more invested in the plot and want to see what ends up happening to the characters; and whether they themselves will come to learn the truth of the situation they are in.

5. Breaking Bad

Scenario: Walter is the culprit that his DEA brother-in-law is looking for all along. Walt knows, the audience knows, but his brother-in-law doesn’t.

Perhaps one of the most excessively hyped series to exist in television, the crime drama Breaking Bad storyline is a clearcut example of dramatic irony.

If you haven’t seen Breaking Bad (where have you been for the previous decade?) The show centres around a high school chemistry teacher named Walter White.

Walter is diagnosed with cancer and forms a partnership with a former student of his, Jesse Pinkman. The pair then go onto sell white powders together, unbeknownst to Walter’s wife and kids.

The series is dramatic irony from top to bottom. We know Walter has appalling secrets he’s keeping from his family which would (and should, all things considered) drastically change their relationship and family dynamics, were they to be aware of the real facts of his life.  

Another example of dramatic irony occurs with Walter’s own brother-in-law, who happens to be a the DEA agent put in charge of finding the prolific powder producer, Heisenberg”, aka Walter White. Little does he know, the answer is right under his nose, and his own brother in law is person he’s out for.

In a key scene in the show, Walter’s brother-in-law and DEA agent, Hank, comes across a set of “W.W.” initials in Heisenberg’s notebook.

Hank turns to his brother-in-law Walter and, as a joke says the “WW” must stand for “Walter White”. Walter jokes back at him saying “You got me!”

Other Types of Irony

Situational irony.

Situational Irony describes situations where the opposite of what is expected ends up happening.  

An example of situational irony could be driving your sick cat to see the vet while accidentally running over a squirrel while driving.

Verbal Irony

Verbal irony is a figure of speech where what the person is literally saying contrasts with what they mean, or what they mean figuratively.

An example of verbal irony could be asking someone how their day is going when they’ve just spilled coffee all over themselves, and they respond saying, “my day couldn’t be going any better!”

For more, see my 12 types of irony article.

Irony is a literary technique that adds drama and suspense to literature and media, and is also something we witness from time to time in our own lives. Dramatic irony increases the momentum of stories, gets audiences invested in the characters and introduces an element of suspense that is difficult to reproduce through other literary techniques.

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English Online

• Irony- A Literary Device-Types with Examples

Irony is a literary device and the most widely known figure of speech in which contradictory statements or situations reveal a reality that is different from what appears to be true. 

The definition of irony as a literary device is a situation in which there is a contrast between expectation and reality. It can be the use of words that are the opposite of what you mean.

There are many kinds of irony. 

Situational Irony

A situation that has a different or opposite result from what is expected.

For example:

This is the irony of his life that he left his house for a girl and that girl left him.

Maths teacher’s son was failed in maths.

Police man’s purse was stolen by a thief.

Verbal Irony

This is a statement in which the speaker means something very different from what he or she is saying.

For example

I know you will not come to my small house as you are an extremely rich person.

The good news is that this month we will get only 50% of salary.

After seeing a bad performance when you say, “What a great performance!”

On an extremely cold day you say, “Wow! It’s so hot today!”

Dramatic Irony

It is also known as tragic irony when a writer lets their reader know something that a character does not.

When you are watching a drama and as an audience you know it that there is poison in the juice but the character drinks it.

In Romeo and Juliet, the audience knows that Juliet is only asleep-not dead-but Romeo does not, and he kills himself.

Check out other figures of speech

• Simple Present Tense Rules with Examples
• Prepositions Test with Answers
• Lose vs Loose : Differences with Examples
• Types of Sentences in English
• Rules to Use Commas in English
• Apposition in English Grammar
• Everyday vs Every day
• Hyperbole – A Figure of Speech
• Practice vs Practise
• Since vs For
• Grammar Quiz -Test your Grammar
• Question Tags – Formation Rules
• Euphemism – A Figure of Speech
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Irony Examples and Worksheets

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Table of Contents

Irony is a figure of speech and one of the most widely- known literary devices, which is used to express a strong emotion or raise a point.

As defined, Irony is the use of words to convey a meaning that is opposite of what is actually said.

For example, a driver whose license was confiscated by a traffic officer may say “Thank you Officer, now that you have my license I can’t drive”

In this situation, the driver was mad and irritated at what happened. But instead of directly expressing his anger, the driver used Irony i.e. thanking the officer for getting his license.

There are three types of irony. They are:

Verbal Irony

Situational irony, dramatic irony.

It is the use of words to present a meaning that is different from what the speaker says. Almost all the time, the person intentionally and knowingly uses Verbal Irony to be understood as meaning something different to what his or her words’ literal meaning.

Verbal Irony is the easiest to identify among the three types. It is also the most commonly used.

Our previous example is a kind of Verbal Irony. When the driver thanked the traffic officer, he wanted his words to mean that he was not amused at all.

Other examples are:

• After looking at a student’s poor test score, the teacher says, “You will surely finish the year with highest honors”.
• A man tastes his wife’s delicious home- cooked meal and exclaims, “I shall never eat this food ever again”.
• After they kissed, the groom, with a smile on his face, muttered to his bride, “This is the day I will always want to forget”.

Situational Irony happens when what is expected and intended to happen doesn’t take place. Instead, the exact opposite occurs. The result could be either serious or comic.

This type of Irony is used adds more meaning to a situation making it more interesting and thought- provoking.

For example, a man whose house was in the woods put a booby trap to protect him from wild animals. One night, while walking, the man didn’t see the trap. He injured himself.

The booby trap was intended to protect the man but it wounded him instead. This is exactly the contrary of what was expected.

Examples are:

• Dr. Johnson smokes a pack of cigarettes a day.
• Our boss, the owner of a big construction firm, cannot fix his house’s broken ceiling.
• The defence lawyer failed to acquit his son in a case.

Dramatic Irony happens when the audience or readers are aware of something, which the character of a movie or story does not know.

Oftentimes, such character acts or moves in a way, which is contrary or different from what the audience or the readers expect him or her to do.

This type of Irony creates intense feelings such as humor and suspense.

Dramatic Irony is used to convey emotions more intently. It gives the audience or readers a sense of thrill and excitement.

In a horror movie for example, the character enters a dark room while hearing a woman’s voice. The audiences don’t get scared because they knew beforehand that the woman’s voice was just that of the character’s mother.

Other examples include:

• In “Saving Private Ryan” , the group of soldiers were hopeless they could find Private James Ryan alive, but the audience knew from the start that Private Ryan went on to live until his later years.
• The wife believed that her husband died in an airplane crash and but the audience was aware that the husband had survived.
• Readers knew that Caitlyn’s character in the novel “A Song for Caitlin” would eventually die but the other characters never even knew she was sick.

Irony Worksheets

This bundle contains 5 ready-to-use irony worksheets that are perfect to test student knowledge and understanding of what irony is and how it can be used. You can use these irony worksheets in the classroom with students, or with home schooled children as well.

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Irony for Kids

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Have you ever listened to the song Ironic  by Alanis Morissette? If you have, then you must be familiar with its lyrics. Taking into account the song’s title, many believe that the singer portrays unfortunate incidents and not ironic situations. While this can be quite confusing for one to grasp, it’s clear that the beauty of irony lies in how it tells a story differently than one would expect. To put it simply, irony is a vast concept to discuss. It cannot be defined lightly, which is why it must be broken down into three different categories.

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What is Irony?

Irony is a popular example of a figure of speech that is used not only in literature but in everyday language as well. It is defined to be a literary device that uses words to convey a meaning that is opposite of what has been said. But irony can often be subjective, depending on the expectations made by an audience. The concept of such can also be quite confusing to many people, as what may be considered as ironic to one, may not be another. An ironic statement can sometimes be misunderstood as well, especially while communicating with children. You may also like idioms examples for kids .

Types of Irony

There are three central types of irony: verbal, situational, and dramatic irony. Each category applies to either reality or literature, which would depend on the context of the given statement.

1. Verbal Irony

A verbal irony comes to play when a speaker says the opposite of what they really mean. In most cases, verbal irony is used to emphasize one’s thoughts that are a lot different from its literal meaning. This is the most commonly-used irony among all its types, considering how it is used in everyday conversations. Verbal irony is also greatly similar to sarcasm. What makes it different is how verbal irony can be humorous yet innocent, while sarcasm can involve a witty or derogatory attack on someone else. You may also like simple sentence examples .

• Saying “Oh, just what I need!” when another tragedy occurs after the other.
• Planning something big for Friday night but when the day finally comes, your mom asks you to stay home to watch your little sister, “Sure, it’s not like I had anything special planned for tonight.”
• Coming to school really early but realizing you forgot your homework. “I guess today is my lucky day.”
• Your parents call you out for taking so long every morning but when you’re the first to finish, “Why are you in a hurry? It’s still early.”
• The unpopular candidate that nobody likes wins the class elections. You can overhear some students saying, “Oh gee, I kind of wished he would win.”

2. Situational Irony

This type of irony occurs when what is expected to happen does not take place. Instead, it generates the opposite action or effect. The result of such can sometimes be serious or comical. It’s an interesting scenario that allows one to really think. Imagine how ironic it would be for a teacher to fail a test. While everyone would expect one thing to happen, the outcome says otherwise. This creates an element of surprise and shock, as the situation contradicts what has been expected from it. Whether it plays out a serious or humorous outcome, it is always unexpected. You may also like preposition sentences examples

• There’s a fire inside the fire station.
• Traffic is congested on one side of town. How can that happen when a traffic enforcer is there to direct motorists?
• A robber steals valuables from a police station.
• Someone complains about the amount of time people spend on social media through a Facebook post.
• An ambulance runs over a guy crossing the street.

3. Dramatic Irony

Think of various movies, TV shows, novels and plays where you know exactly what’s about to happen but the characters in the story do not. Sometimes, this leaves us feeling frustrated over how oblivious the lead characters can be. Action thrillers have us screaming, “Don’t go in there!” as if the actor could actually hear us. This creates intense emotions of humor and suspense that has us sitting at the edge of our seats. Dramatic irony is ideal in both comedy and tragedy because of how it builds a level of anticipation and excitement. You may also like school speeches examples .

• In a romantic movie, the leading characters claim they don’t have any feelings towards each other. But the viewers know very well that this isn’t true.
• A teenage pop singer disguises herself in costume to appear unrecognizable to friends and classmates. But little do people around her know that she’s been selling out stadiums and arenas every night. Truly, the best of both worlds. (Hannah Montana, anyone?)
• An evil queen tries to hide her identity as an old witch. Movie-goers know her true identity yet the protagonist does not. Simply put, the character immediately falls into the trap of the evil queen.
• The citizens of a town criticize a superhero for doing the job of the police. Little do they know that such superhero would save them from an intergalactic invasion later on.
• When the bad guy hides inside the closet. The audience screams. But the main character remains unaware of what is about to happen.

Examples of Irony in Children’s Literature

One of the best things about adding irony to literature is how it’s far from predictable. It keeps readers and viewers guessing what is about to happen. Despite this, irony can be quite difficult for younger children to comprehend. But little do people realize how irony is applied even in children’s literature. This goes for children’s books, cartoons, and movies. Let’s take Spongebob Squarepants for example. You may not have thought about it back then, but isn’t it ironic how Spongebob can wash dishes with his hands, considering how he’s supposed to be a kitchen sponge? Or how there’s a beach in Bikini Bottom when the setting of the cartoon series is in the middle of the sea. While it’s meant to be a children’s TV show, the irony of the whole series is bound to open one’s mind as they grow older. You may kid-friendly idioms .

Other examples of irony in literature are as follows:

Examples #1 Harry Potter 

Witchcraft and Wizardry have always been the central point of an imagination of author J.K. Rowling in her worldwide hit series,  Harry Potter . But if you’ve been on the lookout for some forms of irony in her writing, then you may have noticed a significant few. For one, in The Sorcerer’s Stone , Professor Snape holds a deep hatred towards Harry, often pointing out how he isn’t anyone special if it wasn’t for his infamous yet incredible story. However, it was Snape who made Voldemort aware of the said prophecy, which then leads to a series of unfortunate events for Harry and his friends. You may also like hyperbole examples for kids .

After the first book of the series, a number of ironic situations took place between Snape and Harry as well. In spite of Snape’s hostility, it is revealed that Snape has been protecting and watching over Harry in his journey all along. Harry spends years trying to track and kill Voldemort, only to find out that Voldemort must kill him instead. This revelation created shock among readers and movie-goers alike, allowing one to connect every single event in the series with one another. You may also like hyperbole examples .

Examples #2 Romeo and Juliet

Romeo finds Juliet who appears to be drugged, then immediately assumes she is dead. Because of this, he decides to kill himself as well. But when Juliet awakens, it’s a second too late. She finds out that he’s dead and kills herself to be with him. A terrible end to Shakespeare’s written masterpiece depicts the death of two lovers due to mistaken assumption. The irony comes to play when what could have been a happy ending, ends in the tragic death of its main characters. You may also like kid-friendly metaphors .

Examples #3 The Wizard of Oz

If you have read or seen  The Wizard of Oz , then you know how ironic it is for young Dorothy to spend the entire duration of the story overcoming obstacles, hurdles, and battles, just to get back to Kansas. But it turns out that she had been dreaming the whole thing all along and that she had never left home in the first place.

Examples #4 Beauty and the Beast

From the very beginning of the story, it is made known to the audience that a handsome prince turns into a wicked beast because of his selfish and arrogant behavior. Everyone knows this, except for Belle. The truth was kept a secret throughout the story until the very moment Belle professes her love for the Beast, turning him back to the dashing prince that he really is. You may also like metaphor examples .

Examples #5 The Land of Stories

In this popular book series by author Chris Colfer, fiction and adventure come to life when twins Alex and Connor Bailey spend most of their time daydreaming of a world full of fairytales. Later, they discover that their grandmother is actually Mother Goose, and the world they have been dreaming about is actually real.

The irony, like  hyperbole expressions  and  similes and metaphors , has become a significant part of literary writings. It adds a layer of emotion and texture to every scene, turning a dull storyline into something thought-provoking. Through it all, using these literary tools and figurative language add to the excitement of various tales of love, comedy, and tragedy.

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Figure of Speech Examples by Type

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A figure of speech is a word or phrase that possesses a separate meaning from its literal definition. It can be a metaphor or simile designed to make a comparison. It can be the repetition of alliteration or the exaggeration of hyperbole to provide a dramatic effect. There are a wealth of these literary tools in the English language.

Examples of Figures of Speech

Figures of speech lend themselves particularly well to literature and poetry. They also pack a punch in speeches and movie lines. Indeed, these tools abound in nearly every corner of life. Let's start with one of the more lyrical devices — alliteration.

Alliteration Examples

Alliteration is the repetition of the beginning sounds of neighboring words. Examples include:

• S h e s ells s ea sh ells.
• W alter w ondered w here W innie w as.
• B lue b aby b onnets b obbed through the b ayou.
• N ick n eeded n ew n otebooks.
• F red f ried f rogs' legs on F riday.

Anaphora Examples

Anaphora is a technique where several phrases or verses begin with the same word or words. For example:

• " I came, I saw, I conquered." - Julius Caesar
• " Mad world! Mad kings! Mad composition!" - King John II , William Shakespeare
• " It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness." - A Tale of Two Cities , Charles Dickens
• " With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right." - Abraham Lincoln
• " We shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end ... we shall never surrender." - Winston Churchill

Assonance Examples

Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds (not just letters) in words that are close together. The sounds don't have to be at the beginning of the word. Some examples include:

• A - "For the r a re and r a diant m a iden whom the a ngels n a med Lenore." - " The Raven ," Edgar Allan Poe
• E - "Therefore, all s ea sons shall b e sw ee t to th ee ." - " Frost at Midnight ," Samuel Taylor Coleridge)
• I - "From what I 've tasted of des i re, I hold with those who favor f i re." - " Fire and Ice ," Robert Frost
• O - " O h hear o ld Triton bl o w his wreathed h o rn." - " The World is Too Much With Us ," William Wordsworth
• U - " U ncertain r u stling of each purple curtain ..." - "The Raven," Edgar Allen Poe

Euphemism Examples

Euphemism is a mild or indirect term that often substitutes a harsh, blunt, or offensive term. For example:

• A little thin on top (instead of "going bald")
• Fell off the back of a truck (instead of "stolen")
• Letting you go (instead of "firing you")
• Passed away (instead of "died")
• Economical with the truth (instead of "liar")

Hyperbole Examples

Hyperbole uses exaggeration for emphasis or effect. Examples include:

• I've told you to stop a thousand times.
• That must have cost a billion dollars.
• I could do this forever.
• She's older than dirt.
• Everybody knows that.

Irony Examples

Irony occurs when there's a marked contrast between what is said and what is meant, or between appearance and reality. For example:

• "How nice!" she said when I told her I had to work all weekend. ( verbal irony )
• A traffic cop gets suspended for not paying his parking tickets. ( situational irony )
• The Titanic was said to be unsinkable, but it sank on its first voyage. (situational irony)
• We named our tiny Chihuahua "Brutus." (verbal irony)
• The audience knows the killer is hiding in a closet in a scary movie, but the actors do not. ( dramatic irony )

Metaphor Examples

A metaphor makes a comparison between two unlike things or ideas. Examples include:

• heart of stone
• time is money
• the world is a stage
• she's a night owl
• he's an ogre

Onomatopoeia Examples

Onomatopoeia is the term for a word that sounds like what it is describing. For examples:

Oxymoron Examples

An oxymoron is two contradictory terms used together. Some examples include:

• peace force
• jumbo shrimp
• sweet sorrow
• free market

Personification Examples

Personification gives human qualities to non-living things or ideas. Examples include:

• The flowers nodded.
• The snowflakes danced.
• The thunder grumbled.
• The fog crept in.
• The wind howled.

Simile Examples

A simile is a comparison between two unlike things using the words "like" or "as." For example:

• as slippery as an eel
• like peas in a pod
• as blind as a bat
• eats like a pig
• as wise as an owl

Synecdoche Examples

Synecdoche occurs when a part is represented by the whole or, conversely, the whole is represented by the part. Examples include:

• wheels can represent a car
• the police can represent one policeman
• plastic can represent credit cards
• Coke can represent any cola drink
• hired hands present workers

Understatement Examples

An understatement occurs when something is said to make something appear less important or less serious. For example:

• It's just a scratch. (referring to a large dent)
• It's a little dry and sandy. (referring to the driest desert in the world)
• The weather is cooler today. (referring to sub-zero temperatures)
• It was interesting. (referring to a bad or difficult experience)
• It stings a bit. (referring to a serious wound or injury)

Idiomatic Figures of Speech

When someone says "that's just a figure of speech," they may be referring to a common colloquialism or idiom — a non-literal expression that's common in a particular language. For example:

• I'm as mad as a wet hen! (I'm extremely angry.)
• Don't let the cat out of the bag. (Don't reveal a secret.)
• That's killing two birds with one stone. (Getting two tasks accomplished at once.)
• Our family has some skeletons in the closet. (Our family has secrets.)
• I'm feeling under the weather. (I don't feel well.)
• Wow, you're really in a pickle now. (You're really in trouble now.)
• He was trapped between a rock and a hard place. (He was in a situation with two bad outcomes.)

Give Your Writing Some Style

Hopefully, this sampling of figures of speech will offer a nice springboard for you to sprinkle a variety of stylistic and rhetorical devices into your writing. The goal is to be able to express yourself in a more creative, interesting, and eye-catching manner. Use these resources to give your writing that extra oomph :

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Irony Examples: Figure of Speech For Students

admin February 28, 2019 Figures of Speech 5,592 Views

Irony Examples:

Ironical statements.

• One of the identical twins says to the other, “You’re ugly!”
• I saw a fish drowning.
• Many things can be preserved in alcohol. Dignity is not one of them.
• Never argue with a fool. People might not know the difference.
• Marriage is the leading cause of divorce
• I have been down so long, it looks like up to me.

Coincidental Ironies

• Britain’s biggest dog was named Tiny.
• Two marriage therapists got divorced from each other.
• Most tobacco company executives don’t smoke.
• Titanic, which was touted as “100% unsinkable”, sank on its maiden voyage.
• The supreme irony of life is that hardly anyone gets out of it alive.
• A ninety-eight year old man won the lottery and died the next day.
• My friend, who is an incredibly successful artist and writer, often has dreams that are bland and dull.
• A class on prophecy at a church was postponed due to some unforeseen circumstance
• Do you know that fear for a long word is called Hippopotomonstrosesquippedalio phobia?
• Hitler ‘s Grandmother was Jewish.
• The only reason there are evil people in the world is because there are good people in the world.
• A man died in his living room!
• Canada is owned by Britain, yet half the people there speak French.
• Coffee City is a city in Texas, mostly visited to buy beer.
• My family owns a dairy, I work at a frozen yogurt shop and I just found out I’m lactose intolerant.
• The world’s largest ice cream cone is made by a factory called ‘Tiny Dairies’!
• The owner of a butcher shop is a vegetarian!
• A restaurant called “Hard Times Cafe” has closed down because of the recession!
• The water vendor died of thirst!
• A restaurant with the name “Firewood Cafe” was actually on fire!
• The dictionary entry for “short” is really, really long!
• The only word that you spelled right in this spelling test is “illiterate”.
• “Stand by your Man” is one of the biggest hit songs sung by Tammy Wynette’s who has been married six times in her real life.
• Do you know that there is a song about the phobia of music?
• The White House isn’t white.
• I put on an outfit in the morning and didn’t like it, after spending an hour trying on other clothes, I ended up trying back on the same outfit I started with and wore it for the day.
• A seminar on Global Warming was cancelled due to snow.
• An obese teacher is teaching the class about healthy food or physical exercise!
• A class on “planning and scheduling” was cancelled due to poor planning.
• An atheist sues for religious discrimination

Situational Irony

• Posting a video about how boring and useless Facebook is on Facebook.
• My friend said he can’t go to church because he has a theology test to study for!
• The firehouse burns down.
• The police station was robbed.
• The teacher failed the test.
• The student who didn’t study passed the test.
• The marriage counselor gets a divorce
• “Water, water, everywhere, And all the boards did shrink; Water, water, everywhere, Nor any drop to drink.”
• A girl was going on about how she wouldn’t hurt animals when I noticed she was wearing a leather belt.
• He is a pilot but, is afraid of heights.

Irony Examples In Literature

• “Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; And Brutus is an honorable man” – Julius Caesar.
• Romeo returns to Verona and he finds Juliet drugged, in a death-like sleep. He assumes she is dead and kills himself. When Juliet wakes up and finds him dead, she kills herself with his knife – Romeo and Juliet.
• Ray Bradbury’s book Fahrenheit 451 is consistently on the top 100 list of banned books in the US .

Ironical News

• Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi, the self-styled “eternal revolutionary”, who took power in a coup 42 years ago, is himself being deposed in a revolution.
• A Harvard University fellow, who was studying ethics, was charged with hacking into the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s computer network to steal nearly 5 million academic articles.

Being a part of speech used on a regular basis, ironies are familiar to many of us. Of course, we never look into whether the usage is correct or not, but it is always better to learn about the different kinds of ironies and their usages. It is very important as there are chances that sometimes you may even get confused with much similar concept of sarcasm. Though both irony and sarcasm appear to be overlapping, both of them are totally different concepts. Hope the examples given in this article helped you to understand the concept ‘irony’ better.

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