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What is irony?

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Quick answer

Irony is a contrast between what is expected and what actually happens, or between what is said and what is meant. From a fire station burning down to saying 'lovely weather' during a storm, irony highlights a gap between appearance and reality.

Key things to understand

  1. It hinges on a gap between expectation and reality, or words and meaning.
  2. Verbal irony: saying the opposite of what you mean (often sarcasm).
  3. Situational irony: an outcome that's the opposite of what's expected.
  4. Dramatic irony: the audience knows something the characters don't.
  5. It's often confused with coincidence, but true irony involves a pointed contrast.

People also ask

What are the main types of irony?
Verbal (saying the opposite of what you mean), situational (an outcome opposite to what's expected), and dramatic (the audience knows what a character doesn't).
What's an example of irony?
A traffic cop getting a parking ticket, or saying 'great timing!' when someone arrives late — the reality clashes with the expectation.
Is irony the same as sarcasm?
Sarcasm is a sharp, often mocking form of verbal irony. All sarcasm is ironic, but not all irony is sarcastic.