Irony is when something happens that is the opposite of what was expected or intended, often in a humorous or unusual way.

When to use it

Irony is used to describe a situation where the opposite of what is expected happens or there is a contrast between what is expected to happen and what actually happens. It is often used to create humor or to convey a deeper meaning in a situation. For example, if someone who has been advocating for healthy eating is caught eating junk food, that would be considered ironic. Or if someone says "I love being stuck in traffic" when they are actually frustrated and annoyed, that would also be ironic.

Example sentences

  1. It was an irony that the fire station burned down during the fire.
  2. The irony of the situation was that the mayor was arrested for corruption.
  3. It was an irony that the environmentalist's car caused more pollution than the average car.
  4. The irony was that the vegan was caught eating a burger at a fast food restaurant.
  5. The irony of the situation was that the athlete who trained the hardest got injured before the competition.
  6. It was an irony that the singer who was known for her beautiful voice lost it due to a throat infection.
  7. The irony of the situation was that the person who always preached about honesty was caught lying.
  8. It was an irony that the fast food chain that claimed to offer healthy options had the highest calorie count on their menu.
  9. The irony of the situation was that the traffic cop got a speeding ticket on his way to work.
  10. It was an irony that the man who won the lottery lost his job the same day.

Want to sound like a native speaker?

Engram’s AI-powered grammar checker makes your English sound like a native speaker’s, suggesting natural English expressions on top of fixing grammar, spelling, punctuation, word order, and vocabulary.

Free Grammar Checker
Check your grammar, spelling, punctuation, and word usage errors with Engram’s free online grammar checker using AI

Reference:

What is Irony? | Definition & Examples
Professor Raymond Malewitz defines verbal irony, dramatic irony, and situational irony using examples from Edgar Allan Poe’s short story The Cask of Amontillado.
Irony: definition, types, and examples
Do you actually know what irony is? After all, “irony” is one of English’s most misused words. Learn the truth about irony here.