irony

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun witty language used to convey insults or scorn; ; ; --Jonathan Swift
  2. noun incongruity between what might be expected and what actually occurs
  3. noun a trope that involves incongruity between what is expected and what occurs

Etymology

First attested in 1502. From Middle French ironie, from Old French, from Latin īrōnīa, from Ancient Greek εἰρωνεία (eirōneía, “irony, pretext”), from εἴρων (eírōn, “one who feigns ignorance”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

sarcasm, satire, caustic remark

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