verbal irony examples sentences figure of speech

15 Verbal Irony Examples

Verbal irony is a figure of speech where the literal words being used opposes the real meaning behind them.

In simple terms, verbal irony contradicts what is being said by the character or person speaking.

As a literary technique it, helps to add intrigue, drama and humour to storylines and characters, making the plot all the more engaging for audiences.

We can see instances of verbal irony in our daily lives too. For example, suppose you look outside and there is a terrible blizzard, then your friend looks outside and says, “Perfect day for the beach!” This is an example of verbal irony.

10 Simple Verbal Irony Examples

Consider these examples of verbal irony, so you can familiarize yourself with the term.

• The leader of an AA meeting says “I could use a drink right now.”
• A waiter working at a restaurant is being short with their customers. Someone comments on the waiter’s poor bedside manners, “Wow, this waiter has the best manners!”
• A weatherman saying “It’s not like I know about when it’s going to rain next.”
• A mother looks at her child’s messy bedroom: “I love how your room is always so clean!”
• A couple of teenagers see a “Do Not Enter” sign. One pipes up: “Let’s enter.”
• In a stressful situation, a girl says “Well this isn’t this just pleasant as ever.”
• When a girl’s mother is an hour late to lunch she says “I appreciate how you’re always on time mom!”
• After a bad accident a boy’s friends tells him “your car has never looked better!”
• A woman walks into a cold room with a broken heating system, she points at the nonfunctional heating system and states “Well it’s pretty warm in here, isn’t it?”
• A woman’s shoes get drenched in the rain and she says “I think the water just gave them a new fashionable touch!”

5 Verbal Irony Examples in Film and Literature

Quick Summary: Anna is being chased by a scary monster, which she refers to as a marshmallow.

Frozen , the popular animated Disney musical film and kids movie includes verbal irony.

At a point in the film, Elsa builds a scary snow man/monster to chase away her sister, Anna. Olaf, a friendly snowman, is being chased by the snow monster.

When he approaches Anna, he tells her that he is being chased by a “marshmallow”. His choice of words make it seem like the snow monster is a sweet, benevolent creature, even though it’s anything but that.

Verbal irony, in this case, helps introduce comedic relief to what might be an otherwise stressful situation for the characters in the movie.

2. The Beauty and the Beast

Quick Summary: Belle tells Gaston “I don’t deserve you” when Belle and the audience know she is a far better person than Gaston.

In Disney’s iconic film, The Beauty and the Beast , the character Gaston (who is vain, shallow, and thinks all women desire him) pursues Belle. We know that Belle is better than Gaston, but at a point in the film Belle tells Gaston, “I just don’t deserve you!” When, in fact, she deserves much more than what Gaston has to offer her.

Belle herself knows this, and so do we, the audience. The real meaning of her words conflicts with their literal meaning, making it a clear case of verbal irony.

3.  Julius Caesar

Quick Summary: After Brutus betrays Cesar, Mark Antony calls him an honorable man. Everyone is aware that this is the exact opposite of the truth.

Verbal irony occurs in the play Julius Caeser by William Shakespeare. The character Mark Antony, when speaking about Brutus, describes him as an “honorable man”. This is verbally ironic since he makes this statement immediately after Brutus betrays Caesar. Clearly, Mark Antony considers Brutas anything but honorable.

Mark Antony’s literal words conflict with their meaning, or the intention he has in making that statement. This therefore is another clear example of verbal irony from Shakespeare’s Julius Caeser .

4. “Ironic” by Alanis Morrissette

Quick Summary: A man is in the middle of a plane crash and says “Well isn’t this nice.” Clearly, it isn’t!

The song responsible for driving all English teachers nuts, “Ironic” by Alanis Morrissette may confuse the meaning of irony on a broader level. Alanis understands Verbal irony, however.

See these lyrics, which are verbally ironic:

Mr. Play It Safe was afraid to fly He packed his suitcase and kissed his kids goodbye He waited his whole damn life to take that flight And as the plane crashed down, he thought “Well, isn’t this nice?”

The “Well, isn’t this nice?” is verbal irony. Clearly, a plane crashing is not nice at all!

5. Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove

Quick Summary: President Muffley tries to break up an argument in the war room by saying “You can’t fight here! This is a war room!” It’s ironic, because the room is named after fighting!

Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove is a dark comedy and satire from 1964, about the Cold War.

At a point in the film, a few of the high-ranking officers and army generals get into an argument.

The character, President Merkin Muffley, in an attempt to break up the argument, says to the other men, “Gentlemen, you can’t fight in here! This is the war room!”

You can’t fight in most places. That said, if there was a place where you would think you could fight: the war room would be it. This illustrates verbal irony again, since the words oppose their true, non-literal meaning.

Other Types of Irony

Situational irony.

Situational irony is when what is expected to happen in a given situation diametrically opposses what in fact happens.

Much of the premise of The Wizard of Oz is based on the concept of situational irony . We have a lion that is without courage (to find later he had it all along), Dorothy goes to the Wizard to find her way home, when she could have done so all along. The Tin Man is looking for a heart, and the Scarecrow wants a brain.

There are hints throughout the story that each of the characters already has what they wish to possess, making The Wizard of Oz perhaps one of the most verbally ironic films to date.

Dramatic Irony

Dramatic Irony occurs when the audience knows more about a situation than the characters do themselves.

Dramatic irony is a device used to keep the audience not only invested in the storyline, but it places the audience a step ahead of the characters, which adds further suspense and keeps the audience engrossed in the story.

We can see an example of dramatic irony in Shakespeare’s Macbeth . King Duncan places his full trust in Macbeth, and states “He was a gentleman in whom I built an absolute trust.” Though King Duncan is unaware, the audience is aware of the fact that Macbeth is actually the one that plans to kill Duncan, making this an instance of dramatic irony.

For more, see my 12 types of irony article.

Literary devices like verbal irony are used in various ways, and there are numerous examples in all types of media. Irony in all forms adds substance and nuance to stories, it brings humour to what may otherwise be bland scenes and/or character dialogue. It helps add suspense and creates tension in the story. Hopefully, now that you are apprised of the concept, you’ll be able to point it out when you see it.

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.

• Dalia Yashinsky (MA, Phil) #molongui-disabled-link Third Variable Problem: Definition & 10 Examples
• Dalia Yashinsky (MA, Phil) #molongui-disabled-link 20 Standardized Tests Pros And Cons
• Dalia Yashinsky (MA, Phil) #molongui-disabled-link 15 Double Standards Examples
• Dalia Yashinsky (MA, Phil) #molongui-disabled-link 15 Examples of Inclusive Language

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.

• Chris Drew (PhD) #molongui-disabled-link 15 Theory of Planned Behavior Examples
• Chris Drew (PhD) #molongui-disabled-link 18 Adaptive Behavior Examples
• Chris Drew (PhD) #molongui-disabled-link 15 Cooperative Play Examples
• Chris Drew (PhD) #molongui-disabled-link 15 Parallel Play Examples

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

VIDEO COURSE

Finish your draft in our 3-month master class. Sign up now to watch a free lesson!

Learn How to Write a Novel

Finish your draft in our 3-month master class. Enroll now for daily lessons, weekly critique, and live events. Your first lesson is free!

Guides • Perfecting your Craft

Posted on Sep 02, 2022

Verbal Irony: 9 Examples that Will Make You Smirk

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.

Which famous author do you write like?

Find out which literary luminary is your stylistic soulmate. Takes one minute!

“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 .

Join a community of over 1 million authors

Reedsy is more than just a blog. Become a member today to discover how we can help you publish a beautiful book.

Bring your stories to life

Our free writing app lets you set writing goals and track your progress, so you can finally write that book!

1 million authors trust the professionals on Reedsy. Come meet them.

Enter your email or get started with a social account:

Literary Devices

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

As a literary device, irony is a contrast or incongruity between expectations for a situation and what is reality. This can be a difference between the surface meaning of something that is said and the underlying meaning. It can also be a difference between what might be expected to happen and what actually occurs. The definition of irony can further be divided into three main types: verbal, dramatic, and situational. We describe these types in detail below.

The word “irony” comes from the Greek character Eiron, who was an underdog and used his wit to overcome a stronger character. The Greek word eironeía derived from this character and came to mean “dissimulation” or “purposely affected ignorance.” The word then entered Latin as ironia, and eventually became common as a figure of speech in English in the 16th century.

Irony is sometimes confused with events that are just unfortunate coincidences. For example, Alanis Morrissette’s song “Ironic” contains many events that are not ironic in any sense. She cites “rain on your wedding day” and “a traffic jam when you’re already late” as ironic situations, yet these are merely bad luck.

Types of Irony

Verbal irony.

Verbal irony takes place when the speaker says something in sharp contrast to his or her actual meaning. The speaker often makes a statement that seems very direct, yet indicates that the opposite is in fact true, or what the speaker really means. Looking at Alanis Morrissette’s “Ironic” again, the one true instance of irony comes when the man whose plane is going down says, “Well, isn’t this nice.” Clearly, the plane crash is anything but nice, and thus this utterance conveys the opposite of the man’s true feelings. Unlike dramatic and situational irony, verbal irony is always intentional on the part of the speaker.

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

Dramatic irony occurs when the audience has more information than one or more characters in a work of literature. This literary device originated in Greek tragedy and often leads to tragic outcomes. For example, in Shakespeare’s Othello, the audience is aware that Othello’s best friend Iago is villainous and attempting to bring Othello down. The audience is also aware that Desdemona has been faithful, though Othello doesn’t know this. The audience can foresee the imminent disaster.

There are three stages of dramatic irony: installation, exploitation, and resolution. In the case of Othello, the installation is when Iago persuades Othello to suspect that Desdemona is having an affair with a man named Cassio. Iago then exploits the situation by planting Desdemona’s handkerchief, a gift from Othello, in Cassio’s room. The resolution is only after Othello has murdered Desdemona when her friend Emilia reveals Iago’s scheme.

Situational Irony

Situational irony consists of a situation in which the outcome is very different from what was expected. There are contradictions and contrasts present in cases of situational irony. For example, in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the citizens of the Emerald City assume that Oz is great and all-powerful, yet the man behind the curtain is revealed to be an old man with no special powers.

Other types of irony:

• Cosmic Irony : Cosmic irony, also known as “irony of fate”, is present in stories that contain gods who have different agendas than humans. These gods, or the Fates, may play with the lives of humans for their own amusement. The irony lies in contrast between what the humans expect and what actually happens. Though this is most common in Greek legends, it is also present in Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the d’Urbervilles where the immortals play with Tess’s life.
• Historical Irony : Historical irony relates to real events that happened that, when seen in retrospect, had vastly different outcomes than predicted at the time. For example, Chinese alchemists discovered gunpowder when looking for a way to create immortality. The result of their discovery was the opposite of what they were looking for.
• Socratic Irony : The philosopher Socrates would pretend to be ignorant about the topic under debate to draw out the nonsensical arguments of his opponent. This is particularly evident in the Platonic dialogues. This technique is an example of dramatic irony because Socrates pretended to have less information than he really did.

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

• Verbal irony : “What a pleasant day” (when it is raining heavily)
• Situational irony : Referring to WWI as “the war to end all wars”
• Situational irony : In 1925 when the New York Times declared that the crossword puzzle was a craze that was “dying out fast”
• Dramatic irony : The movie “The Truman Show”, where only Truman doesn’t know that he’s being filmed at all times

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.

( Julius Caesar by Shakespeare)

In this quote from Julius Caesar, Mark Antony is seemingly praising Brutus after the assassination of Julius Caesar. However, this example of irony is one of verbal irony, since Mark Antony is in fact implying that Brutus is neither ambitious nor honorable.

“The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry

In this short story, a young, poor couple struggle with what to buy each other for Christmas. The woman cuts her hair and sells it to buy a watchband for her husband. Meanwhile, the husband sells his watch face to buy combs for his wife’s hair. This is an example of situational irony, since the outcome is the opposite of what both parties expect.

“The Little Mermaid” by Hans Christian Andersen

In this short story, and later in the Disney adaptation, a mermaid falls in love with a prince and saves him from drowning. Desperate to be with him, the mermaid makes a deal with a sea witch to trade her voice for human legs. Though the prince is charmed by the mermaid he doesn’t realize who she really is because she no longer has a voice. This is an example of dramatic irony where the audience has more information than the prince.

Test Your Knowledge of Irony

1. Choose the best irony definition: A. An unfortunate coincidence in which the worst possible ending comes to pass. B. A contrast between expectations for what is going to happen and what actually does happen. C. A biting comment meant to be both humorous and true. [spoiler title=”Answer to Question #1″] Answer: B is the best answer.[/spoiler]

2. Is the following an example of situational, dramatic, or verbal 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. Dramatic irony B. Situational irony C. Verbal irony [spoiler title=”Answer to Question #2″] Answer: This is an example of dramatic irony, since the audience has more information than Oedipus does. A is thus the correct answer.[/spoiler]

3. American President John F. Kennedy’s final reported conversation was with a woman who announced, “Mr. President, you can’t say that Dallas doesn’t love you.” JFK agreed, “That’s very obvious.” Why is this an example of irony?

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]

• Features for Creative Writers
• Features for Work
• Features for Higher Education
• Features for Teachers
• Features for Non-Native Speakers
• Learn Blog Grammar Guide Community Events FAQ
• Grammar Guide

Verbal Irony: Definition, Meaning and Examples

Helly Douglas

The word “irony” confuses many people and, in particular, what is meant by “verbal irony.” We often say we’re “being ironic” without actually knowing what this means. You probably learned about verbal irony at school, along with a range of other literary devices that are often (and incorrectly) used interchangeably.

We’ll clear up your confusion with an accurate definition of irony and, specifically, verbal irony, and provide a wide range of irony examples to help you understand and use it correctly yourself.

What is Irony?

The three types of irony: verbal, situational, and dramatic, what is verbal irony, what are ironic similes, why is irony often confused with sarcasm, how do non-verbal cues support verbal irony, is lying a form of verbal irony, how to write verbal irony, verbal irony in literature, final reflections.

Irony is when there’s a contrast between expectation and reality. It’s a commonly used literary device. Although irony is often used for comedy, it works effectively across all genres.

The word “irony” comes from an ancient Greek comic character called Eiron. He was a clever underdog who used his wit to bring down his opponent, the braggart Alazon, by underplaying his abilities. In ancient Greek theater, the eirôn became a stock character in comedy.

The original meaning of irony as a literary device meant “dissimulation” and “purposely affected.” Characters said less than they meant in a subtle underplaying of the truth. The meaning has changed over time and now irony means the opposite of what is expected.

You may have heard there are three types of irony : verbal, situational, and dramatic. In fact, there are plenty of other types we’ll mention later, but these are generally regarded as the main three.

• Verbal Irony: a contradiction between what is said and what is meant.
• Situational Irony: the results of an action are the opposite of what was intended or expected.
• Dramatic Irony: When the audience knows something a character does not.

Let’s look briefly at the meaning of dramatic and situational irony to consider how they differ from verbal irony.

Situational Irony

Situational irony describes a complete difference between what is expected to happen and an actual outcome. The contrast between the expected results and reality is sharp and a contradiction, such as in the traditional story The Hare and the Tortoise.

We find another famous example in the hugely popular Harry Potter series. It leads the reader to believe that Harry will eventually kill Lord Voldemort. It comes as a surprise to discover that Harry must in fact allow Lord Voldemort to kill him in order for him to be defeated.

Dramatic Irony

You’ll see plenty of dramatic irony in plays, TV shows, movies, and novels. It occurs when you know something that the actor or character does not. This means their words have a particular significance they cannot possibly comprehend.

For example, let’s take a TV show set in a hospital. We see a doctor looking worryingly at medical notes. We can see the test shows a terminal diagnosis. Now it cuts to the patient surrounded by family members. “I’ll be out of here in no time!” she declares.

As the observer, we know things are far from okay for the poor patient. Dramatic irony is created because her words unwittingly are saying the opposite of what we know is going to happen.

Dramatic irony puts us one step ahead of the character, giving us an omniscient view of events. We know something they don’t. We can use this type of irony for huge laughs or the most tragic of stories (often known as “tragic irony”).

Think of how Shakespeare uses dramatic irony both for the tragic death of Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, and for hilarity when Titania falls in love with Nick Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Further Types of Irony

Although we often refer to the three types of irony, there are plenty of other types.

• Classical Irony: the original meaning of irony as shown in ancient Greek comedy.
• Romantic Irony: an author breaks the fictional illusion and shows their role in the composition of a text.
• Cosmic Irony: the contrast between the absolute of the world and the individual.
• Meta Irony: being ironic about being ironic.
• Comic irony: when irony is used to comedic effect, such as in satire .

Verbal irony is found in plays, speeches, and literature when someone says something that is sharply different from the reality of the situation. Verbal irony, unlike dramatic and situational irony, is used intentionally by the speaker.

It can be hard sometimes to tell if a statement is verbal irony or not.

For example:

• A women falls down the stairs and cries, “I’m not hurt!” and tries her best to hide her mishap. This is not verbal irony .
• A woman falls down the stairs and cries, “I’m not hurt!” to communicate that she is indeed injured. This is verbal irony .

If you are unsure if something is verbal irony or not, look at the intent of the speaker. If they are deliberately saying the opposite of what they think or feel to highlight it, it’s verbal irony, like this example in the popular film Mean Girls .

Verbal Irony Examples

Remember that verbal irony is used deliberately, often for comedy effect. We use it all the time, often without even realizing.

Real-life examples:

• Saying, “What a lovely day!” in the middle of a hurricane.
• Seeing your washing machine has broken and saying, “That’s just fantastic!”
• After a bad date, telling your friends, “My favorite part was when she spilled her wine all over my lap.”
• You ask for a quick break and your boss shouts, “Sure! It’s not like we’re busy or anything!”

Any time you say the opposite of the truth intentionally for effect, that’s verbal irony.

Ironic similes are a type of verbal irony. In a typical simile, we make a comparison using the words “like” or “as” to highlight a particular element. For example, you might say that a basketball player is “as tall as a mountain.”

Ironic similes compare something using the complete opposite to highlight an incongruity.

Ironic similes are an example of verbal irony because the effect created is deliberate. They work because the audience knows mud is not clear, even baby elephants are big, and trips to the dentist are rarely fun.

Irony and sarcasm are commonly confused because they are linked. However, sarcasm is not considered a literary device. Many people regard it as sharing elements of verbal irony or as a sub type.

So, how can you tell the two apart? Sarcasm, like verbal irony, means saying the opposite of reality. However, sarcasm is sharp and designed to ridicule or hurt. Verbal irony usually does not and often describes a situation rather than a specific individual.

• Your manager sneers at you and says, “Well you never make mistakes at work, do you?”

As the comment is personal and intended to hurt, you can see this is sarcasm.

To show that verbal irony is being used, the speaker may give clues (called "non-verbal cues") to help the person they are speaking to understand that they are speaking ironically.

• Reham walks into her office staffroom. She catches Tom standing close to a platter of cookies someone has left out to share. Tom makes eye contact with her, covers his mouth with his hands and says, “I am definitely not eating a cookie.”

In this example, Tom’s body language and emphasis he puts on the word “definitely” shows he clearly is eating a cookie but is pretending not to in an amusing way. These non-verbal cues help explain that he’s being ironic.

As verbal irony involves saying one thing but meaning another, you’d be forgiven for thinking this is the same as lying. However, there is a difference.

You might say, “I didn’t take the last cake,” if you did, but don’t want to get caught. To be more convincing, you could put your hands behind your back, shake your head, or look confused. You are lying.

If you’re using verbal irony, you want the other person to know that you did indeed take that last cake. You might slyly smile, wink, and spread your hands wide in an exaggerated show of innocence. This is verbal irony.

If you lie, you’re intending to deceive and hoping not to get caught. Verbal irony is intentional, and it’s clear you are not telling the truth.

We often use verbal irony in speech, because we share much meaning via the delivery. Without the non-verbal cues it’s harder to spot verbal irony in text.

These three tips will help you use it effectively in fiction writing:

1: Use Description

As the reader can’t see a character speaking, you can add in extra description and/or effective verbs to make the meaning more clear. Just don’t overdo it, as it will slow down the pace of dialogue.

• “I would never do that!” he smirked.

Using the verb “smirked” highlights that he is not trying to lie, and the extra emphasis on “never” reinforces the impression that this is verbal irony.

• “I would never do that,” she said, her face cocked to the side in a display of mock-innocence.

The non-verbal cues, with the character putting her head on one side coquettishly, are used to highlight this is verbal irony.

2: Think of Character Intent

Knowing how characters are feeling, their personality, and the way they interact with others will help you identify whether they typically use verbal irony.

While verbal irony is commonly used, it’s less suitable for formal occasions or used towards someone in a more senior position. We also are less likely to use it towards strangers or in an unfamiliar setting.

3: Exaggerate the Verbal Irony

While we all want to write subtle prose, sometimes you’ll need to be a little more obvious to make the verbal irony clear.

Just emphasizing a particular word, adding in a non-verbal cue, or exaggerating the reaction to irony can help make it clear for your reader.

How Would You Use the Word “Irony” in a Sentence?

Let’s look at how you could use the word “irony” and its other forms accurately when writing.

• Irony (noun): He uses irony to get his point across to the audience.
• Ironic (adjective): She always talks in an ironic way, so it’s hard to know if she’s being serious.
• Ironically (adverb): I didn’t mean it literally; I was speaking ironically .

While verbal irony is only one form of irony, it’s enough to say “irony” as a catchall without explaining which one you are using.

You’ll find verbal irony scattered throughout literature as it’s a commonly used device.

These are a few famous examples:

"But Brutus says he was ambitious; / And Brutus is an honourable man."

Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare.

Mark Antony appears to praise Brutus and the other assassins, while in reality he is condemning them.

"Today was a very cold and bitter day, as cold and bitter as a cup of hot chocolate."

Lemony Snicket: The Unauthorized Biography by Daniel Handler (pen name, Lemony Snicket).

This is an example of an ironic simile, as we know hot chocolate is warm and sweet, rather than bitter and cold. Ironic similes are one form of verbal irony.

"Yeah, Quirrell was a great teacher. There was just that minor drawback of him having Lord Voldemort sticking out of the back of his head!”

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J. K. Rowling.

Harry makes it clear to his teacher that this was a major, rather than a minor drawback. This is also an example of sarcasm, as Harry is trying to ridicule Professor Umbridge.

Verbal irony is a commonly used literary technique that we all use in everyday conversation. It’s used deliberately and can have a humorous or tragic effect.

Do be careful if you’re using verbal irony in prose. It’s hard to capture the subtlety of delivery that makes it effective. Used badly, it can make your writing hard to understand.

ProWritingAid has a wide range of checks you can use to improve the overall readability of your writing. It will spot errors and inconsistencies that could confuse your reader.

Try ProWritingAid's Editor for Yourself

Be confident about grammar

Check every email, essay, or story for grammar mistakes. Fix them before you press send.

Helly Douglas is a UK writer and teacher, specialising in education, children, and parenting. She loves making the complex seem simple through blogs, articles, and curriculum content. You can check out her work at hellydouglas.com or connect on Twitter @hellydouglas. When she’s not writing, you will find her in a classroom, being a mum or battling against the wilderness of her garden—the garden is winning!

Get started with ProWritingAid

Drop us a line or let's stay in touch via :

Table of Contents

Introduction.

Irony is a figure of speech where the intended meaning of words or actions is opposite to their literal or expected meaning, often creating a humorous or thought-provoking effect.

In this article, we will define this figure of speech and illustrate it with examples from literature.

Let’s start with the definition of irony!

What is irony?

Irony is a figure of speech in which there is a contradiction of expectation between what is said and what is really meant . It is characterized by an incongruity, a contrast, between reality and appearance.

An example of irony is when a fire station burns down while the firefighters are responding to a call at a neighboring building.

The term “irony” comes from the Greek word “ eironeia ,” which originally referred to a dissimulating or feigned ignorance, and later evolved to denote a contrast between appearance and reality in literature and speech.

Types of Irony

There are three types of irony: verbal , dramatic , and situational .

• It is a contrast between what is said and what is meant
• Example: During a heavy rainstorm, someone looks out the window and says, “What lovely weather we’re having!”
• It occurs when the audience or the reader knows more than the character about events. In other words, what the character thinks is true is inconsistent with what the audience knows.
• Example: In “The Green Mile”, John Coffey possesses the power to heal ailments and even resurrect the dead, yet he is unjustly accused and convicted of a heinous crime. The irony deepens as the audience witnesses this juxtaposition between Coffey’s capacity for healing and his enormous physical strength, capable of causing harm. This figure of speech becomes a powerful element in the narrative, emphasizing the complexities of human nature and challenging preconceived notions about good and evil.
• This refers to the contrast between the actual result of a situation and what was intended or expected to happen.
• A fire station catches fire while the firefighters are responding to an emergency in another part of the town.

Why Do Writers Use Irony?

Writers use irony for several reasons, as it adds depth, complexity, and nuance to their storytelling. Here are some primary reasons why writers use it:

• Enhancing Complexity: This figure of speech allows writers to introduce layers of meaning and complexity into their narratives. By juxtaposing what is expected with what actually occurs, writers create a more intricate and thought-provoking story.
• Engaging the Audience: This figure of speech captivates readers or viewers by challenging their expectations. It prompts them to think critically about the narrative, characters, and themes, fostering a deeper engagement with the material.
• Highlighting Themes: It can be a powerful tool for emphasizing themes and messages within a work. By presenting situations where the outcome is contrary to expectations, writers can underscore larger ideas or social commentary.
• Creating Humor: It is often used for comedic effect. When there is a contrast between what is said or expected and what actually happens, it can evoke laughter or amusement, adding a lighter tone to the narrative.
• Building Suspense: Dramatic irony, where the audience knows something the characters do not, can be an effective way to build suspense. This creates tension as readers eagerly anticipate the unfolding consequences of the characters’ actions.
• Challenging Assumptions: It challenges preconceived notions and societal expectations. It allows writers to subvert conventional ideas, revealing the incongruities between appearance and reality, and prompting readers to question their own beliefs.
• Conveying Critique or Satire: It is often employed in satire and social commentary. By presenting situations or characters in an ironic light, writers can critique societal norms, behaviors, or institutions in a subtle yet impactful manner.

Examples of Irony

Here are some examples of Irony with explanations:

• Explanation: This is an example of verbal irony. The phrase “clear as mud” is a figurative expression that means something is confusing or unclear. When someone says, “His argument was as clear as mud,” it’s ironic because it suggests the argument was not clear at all, contrary to what the words literally mean.
• Explanation: This is an example of situational irony. Identical twins are expected to look very similar, if not identical. However, in this situation, one twin telling the other “You’re ugly” creates an unexpected and ironic contrast, as they are genetically identical. The irony lies in the unexpected divergence from the usual expectation of identical twins looking alike.
• Explanation: This is an example of situational irony. A police station is typically a place where law enforcement is based, and it’s expected to be secure. In this situation, the fact that thieves successfully rob the police station is ironic because it goes against the usual expectations. The irony lies in the reversal of roles, where the supposed guardians of law and order become the victims of a crime.
• Explanation : The situation did not go well, but the expression suggests the opposite.
• Explanation : The praise suggests approval, but the speaker is actually expressing disapproval.
• Explanation: The statement implies frustration, but the words used suggest the opposite.
• Explanation: The situation is described as delightful, but the term “mess” contradicts this positive expression.
• Explanation: The use of “perfect” suggests approval, but the context indicates the opposite.
• Explanation: The speaker uses a positive word like “wonderful” to describe a situation usually considered negative.
• Explanation: The speaker sarcastically comments on the great weather when the reality is adverse.
• Explanation: The term “genius” is used sarcastically to highlight the opposite quality in the person.

Examples of Irony in Literature

Examples of irony are frequent in literature. The incorporation of this stylistic device in literary works adds depth, complexity, and often a layer of intrigue to storytelling. Here are some illustrative examples:

OEDIPUS       Then I will start afresh, and once again       shed light on darkness. It is most fitting       that Apollo demonstrates his care       for the dead man, and worthy of you, too.       And so you’ll see how I will work with you,       as is right, seeking vengeance for this land,       as well as for the god. This polluting stain       I will remove, not for some distant friends,       but for myself. For whoever killed this man       may soon enough desire to turn his hand       to punish me in the same way, as well.       Thus, in avenging Laius, I serve myself.       But now, my children, quickly as you can       stand up from these altar steps and raise       your suppliant branches. Someone must call       the Theban people to assemble here.       I’ll do everything I can. With the god’s help       this will all come to light successfully,       or else will prove our common ruin. From “Oedipus Rex” by Sophocles’

Sophocles’ “ Oedipus Rex ” is an example of dramatic irony . The audience knows that Oedipus is the murderer he is trying to find, while Oedipus remains unaware of his true identity. This creates suspense and tension as the audience anticipates the tragic revelation.

“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”  From “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austin

The opening line from “ Pride and Prejudice ” by Jane Austen is an example of verbal irony . The statement begins with what seems like a universally accepted truth, but as the story unfolds, the irony becomes evident.

The novel explores the complexities of relationships and challenges the initial notion that a wealthy single man must inevitably be seeking a wife. The irony lies in the contrast between the apparent truth stated and the nuanced realities revealed in the narrative.

All of a sudden she discovered, in a black satin box, a superb diamond necklace, and her heart began to beat with an immoderate desire. Her hands trembled as she took it. She fastened it round her throat, outside her high-necked waist, and was lost in ecstasy at her reflection in the mirror. Then she asked, hesitating, filled with anxious doubt: “Will you lend me this, only this?” “Why, yes, certainly.” She threw her arms around her friend’s neck, kissed her passionately, then fled with her treasure. From “ The Necklace ” by Guy de Maupassant

“The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant provides a good example of situational irony .

Mathilde Loisel, the main character in Guy de Maupassant’s “ The Necklace ,” borrows a diamond necklace from a friend to enhance her appearance at a luxurious ball, aiming to appear affluent. However, her plans take a tragic turn as she loses the jewels, leading to financial ruin for both her and her husband.

Ironically, in the story’s conclusion, Mathilde discovers that the jewels she sacrificed so much to replace were, in fact, fake, adding a poignant twist to the narrative.

In summary, irony is a powerful and multifaceted literary device that transcends the mere surface of words, injecting narratives with layers of complexity and depth. It can be classified into three types—verbal, dramatic, and situational—each contributing a distinct flavor to the storytelling palette.

This stylistic device adds richness to literature by challenging expectations, engaging readers through subtle twists, and offering a nuanced exploration of themes. If you incorporate irony into your writing, you will not only captivate your audience but also elevate the sophistication and impact of your narrative, fostering a more profound connection between the text and the reader.

Related Pages:

• More figures of speech
• Articles about writing

• AI in action
• AI in the enterprise
• Humans of AI

Words at work

• Inside Writer
• Content strategy
• Inspiration

– 10 min read

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. 

--> “A wide screen just makes a bad film twice as bad.” -->

May Habib CEO, Writer.com

Here’s what else you should know about Ascending.

More resources

– 9 min read

The managing editor’s guide to getting out of the way

Kristin Hillery

– 7 min read

Using style guides to spend 66% less time copy editing: interview with Megan Marrs

Ashley Coolman

– 11 min read

Branding lessons from Wistia’s DEI website

The Writer Team

Definition and Examples of Irony (Figure of Speech)

Owaki / Kulla / Getty Images

• An Introduction to Punctuation
• Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia
• M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester
• 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

• Figure of Speech: Definition and Examples
• The Top 20 Figures of Speech
• What Is Rhetorical Irony?
• 100 Awfully Good Examples of Oxymorons
• Definition and Examples of Situational Irony
• What Is the Figure of Speech Antiphrasis?
• Verbal Irony - Definition and Examples
• Figurative Meaning
• Brief Introductions to Common Figures of Speech
• Understanding Subtext
• Paralepsis (Rhetoric)
• Definition and Examples of Sarcasm
• Figure of Thought in Rhetoric
• Definition and Examples of Dramatic Irony
• Definition and Examples of Litotes in English Grammar
• The Four Master Tropes in Rhetoric

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

I. What is Sarcasm?

Sarcasm is a form of verbal irony that mocks, ridicules, or expresses contempt. It’s really more a tone of voice than a rhetorical device. You’re saying the opposite of what you mean (verbal irony) and doing it in a particularly hostile tone.

Sarcasm comes from the Greek words “sark” meaning “flesh,” and “asmos” meaning “to tear or rip.” So it literally means “ripping flesh” – a pretty bloody image for a type of speech that we use all the time!

II. Examples of Sarcasm

Oh yes, you’ve been sooooo helpful. Thanks sooooo much for all your heeeelp .

Imagine someone saying this to a customer service agent, drawing out the syllables and maybe rolling their eyes. You’d know pretty quickly that they meant the opposite of what they were saying. That verbal irony plus the mocking or derisive tone makes it sarcasm.

I made the genius choice of selling my car right before I decided to move

Sarcasm doesn’t always have to be vicious or mean. It can also be humorous, playful, or (as in this example) self-deprecating. Again, verbal irony plus the tone of voice makes this sarcasm.

III. The Importance of Sarcasm

Because it’s a tone rather than a rhetorical fact, sarcasm by definition can only be used in dialogue. It would describe a way that one character talks to another. This can have all kinds of effects, but generally it shows that the speaker is being impatient or contemptuous. It’s also a sign of disrespect toward the person being addressed, so the use of sarcasm can provide clues as to the relationship between the two characters .

The broader category of verbal irony has other uses, but sarcasm in particular is purely a quality of a character’s speech, and therefore its function is to reveal aspects of that character’s personality.

Sarcasm can say many different things about a character, depending on the way they use it, but most often sarcastic characters are cynical, slightly bitter, solitary, and perhaps arrogant. Think, for example, of Dr. Cox from Scrubs – he often uses verbal irony to mock other characters in the show, especially the protagonist, J.D. However, like many sarcastic characters, Dr. Cox is more often brutally honest than sarcastic. That is, he doesn’t employ verbal irony at all – he says exactly what he means, which is the opposite of irony. And, as we’ve already seen, if a line is not verbally ironic, then by definition it cannot be sarcastic. But it can still be sardonic and cynical , which are probably the two most common character traits expressed through the use of sarcastic dialogue.

IV. Examples of Sarcasm in Literature

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Was there a lack of graves in Egypt, that you took us away to die in the wilderness? (Exodus 14:11)

In one of the earliest examples of sarcasm, one of the Israelites walks up to Moses and poses this sarcastic question. If the Israelites were just going to die in the desert, then what was the point of leaving Egypt in the first place? We can easily imagine the speaker’s tone: irritated, biting, and scornful. And of course he doesn’t actually think that there’s a “lack of graves in Egypt.”

The noble Brutus hath told you Caesar was ambitious: if it were so, it was a grievous fault, and grievously hath Caesar answer’d it. (Shakespeare, Julius Caesar )

Shakespeare imagines Mark Antony delivering a thoroughly sarcastic speech at the funeral of Julius Caesar. He frequently refers to Brutus, Caesar’s murderer, as “noble” and “honorable,” but the content of the speech clearly shows that Mark Antony believes the opposite about Brutus.

V. Examples of Metaphor in Pop Culture

Oh, just get a job? Yeah, why don’t I just strap on my job helmet and squeeze down into a job cannon, and fire off into jobland where jobs grow on jobbies!  (Charlie, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia )

When someone tells Charlie that he needs to get a job, he launches into a bitterly sarcastic tirade about the suggestion. He’s trying to emphasize how hard it is to get a job, and he uses this biting tone to mock his friends’ blasé suggestion that all he needs to do is go out and find one.

Truly, you have a dizzying intellect. (Wesley, The Princess Bride )

Wesley famously uses this line to dismiss the intelligence of Vizzini the Sicilian. But Vizzini is so self-involved that he doesn’t even catch the sarcasm, and thinks that Wesley is genuinely complementing him. This reinforces the point of Wesley’s insult.

I take risks, sometimes patients die. But not taking risks causes more patients to die, so I guess my biggest problem is I’ve been cursed with the ability to do the math. (Dr. House, House )

Dr. House is another character who is frequently sardonic, and ocassionally sarcastic. (Like Dr. Cox, his sardonicness usually takes the form of brutal honesty rather than sarcasm.) However, in this line he adds some verbal irony by suggestion that his ability to do the math is a “problem” and a “curse,” which is an ironic reversal of what he really means. Like many of House’s lines, this one uses sarcasm

VI. Related Terms

Verbal irony is one of the components of sarcasm. It just means saying the opposite of what one means. Verbal irony is always a feature of sarcasm.

There is another type of irony, situational irony , which refers to situations that violate our expectations in a humorous or striking way. This is quite different from sarcasm, and only tangentially related to verbal irony.

They sound similar, but don’t confuse the words “sarcastic” and “sardonic.”

• Sarcasm is verbal irony expressed in a biting tone
• Sardonic means “cynical” or “mocking”

So sarcasm is often sardonic – when a character uses sarcasm to mock someone else, it’s a sardonic comment. However, the key difference is that a sardonic comment is not necessarily ironic . It may say exactly what the speaker means, just in a mocking tone. For example:

I did not attend the funeral, but I sent a letter saying I approved of it. (Mark Twain)

This comment by Twain is certainly mocking – it expresses his displasure with the deceased in a pretty biting fashion. But it isn’t ironic, and therefore it’s not sarcasm (it’s much closer to brutal honesty than it is to sarcasm).

Though roughly synonymous with “sardonic,” cynicism is philosophy of life whereas sardonicness is a tone. Cynicism originally meant “appreciating the simple things in life,” but somewhere along the way that definition was swallowed up by a new one. These days, cynicism usually refers to a self-centered and suspicious view of life. Cynical people are deeply suspicious of sentimentality and “positive thinking,”

They tend to be pessimists, narcissists, and loners.

But, despite all these negative connotations of cynical people, they often make for extremely popular television characters. This is probably due to the fact that cynical, sardonic, and sarcastic lines are so good at producing a laugh.

Sarcasm is often used to ridicule or mock people, either jokingly or in earnest. In these situations, the sarcasm is also a form of satire . Satire is the use of verbal irony, humor, or charicature to make fun of a person or institution, epseically in a political context. But satire isn’t necessarily a form of sarcasm – there are plenty of ways to make political jokes, for example, without using verbal irony.

List of Terms

• Alliteration
• Amplification
• Anachronism
• Anthropomorphism
• Antonomasia
• APA Citation
• Aposiopesis
• Autobiography
• Bildungsroman
• Characterization
• Circumlocution
• Cliffhanger
• Comic Relief
• Connotation
• Deus ex machina
• Deuteragonist
• Doppelganger
• Double Entendre
• Dramatic irony
• Equivocation
• Extended Metaphor
• Figures of Speech
• Flash-forward
• Foreshadowing
• Intertextuality
• Juxtaposition
• Literary Device
• Malapropism
• Onomatopoeia
• Parallelism
• Pathetic Fallacy
• Personification
• Point of View
• Polysyndeton
• Protagonist
• Red Herring
• Rhetorical Device
• Rhetorical Question
• Science Fiction
• Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
• Synesthesia
• Turning Point
• Understatement
• Urban Legend
• Verisimilitude
• Essay Guide
• Cite This Website

Figure of Speech

Definition of figure of speech.

A figure of speech is a word or phrase that is used in a non-literal way to create an effect. This effect may be rhetorical as in the deliberate arrangement of words to achieve something poetic, or imagery as in the use of language to suggest a visual picture or make an idea more vivid. Overall, figures of speech function as literary devices because of their expressive use of language. Words are used in other ways than their literal meanings or typical manner of application.

For example, Margaret Atwood utilizes figures of speech in her poem “ you fit into me ” as a means of achieving poetic meaning and creating a vivid picture for the reader.

you fit into me like a hook into an eye a fish hook an open eye

The simile in the first two lines sets forth a comparison between the way “you” fits into the poet like a hook and eye closure for perhaps a garment. This is an example of rhetorical effect in that the wording carefully achieves the idea of two things meant to connect to each other. In the second two lines, the wording is clarified by adding “fish” to “hook” and “open” to “eye,” which calls forth an unpleasant and even violent image. The poet’s descriptions of hooks and eyes are not meant literally in the poem. Yet the use of figurative language allows the poet to express two very different meanings and images that enhance the interpretation of the poem through contrast .

Types of Figures of Speech

The term  figure of speech covers a wide range of literary devices, techniques, and other forms of figurative language, a few of which include:

Personification

Understatement.

• Alliteration
• Onomatopoeia
• Circumlocution

Common Examples of Figures of Speech Used in Conversation

Many people use figures of speech in conversation as a way of clarifying or emphasizing what they mean. Here are some common examples of conversational figures of speech:

Hyperbole is a figure of speech that utilizes extreme exaggeration to emphasize a certain quality or feature.

• I have a million things to do.
• This suitcase weighs a ton.
• This room is an ice-box.
• I’ll die if he doesn’t ask me on a date.
• I’m too poor to pay attention.

Understatement is a figure of speech that invokes less emotion than would be expected in reaction to something. This downplaying of reaction is a surprise for the reader and generally has the effect of showing irony .

• I heard she has cancer, but it’s not a big deal.
• Joe got his dream job, so that’s not too bad.
• Sue won the lottery, so she’s a bit excited.
• That condemned house just needs a coat of paint.
• The hurricane brought a couple of rain showers with it.

A paradox is a figure of speech that appears to be self-contradictory but actually reveals something truthful.

• You have to spend money to save it.
• What I’ve learned is that I know nothing.
• You have to be cruel to be kind.
• Things get worse before they get better.
• The only rule is to ignore all rules.

A pun is a figure of speech that contains a “ play ” on words, such as using words that mean one thing to mean something else or words that sound alike in as a means of changing meaning.

• A sleeping bull is called a bull-dozer.
• Baseball players eat on home plates.
• Polar bears vote at the North Poll.
• Fish are smart because they travel in schools.
• One bear told another that life without them would be grizzly.

An oxymoron is a figure of speech that connects two opposing ideas, usually in two-word phrases, to create a contradictory effect.

• open secret
• Alone together
• controlled chaos
• pretty ugly

Common Examples of Figure of Speech in Writing

Writers also use figures of speech in their work as a means of description or developing meaning. Here are some common examples of figures of speech used in writing:

Simile is a figure of speech in which two dissimilar things are compared to each other using the terms “like” or “as.”

• She’s as pretty as a picture.
• I’m pleased as punch.
• He’s strong like an ox.
• You are sly like a fox.
• I’m happy as a clam.

A metaphor is a figure of speech that compares two different things without the use of the terms “like” or “as.”

• He is a fish out of water.
• She is a star in the sky.
• My grandchildren are the flowers of my garden.
• That story is music to my ears.
• Your words are a broken record.

Euphemism is a figure of speech that refers to figurative language designed to replace words or phrases that would otherwise be considered harsh, impolite, or unpleasant.

• Last night , Joe’s grandfather passed away (died).
• She was starting to feel over the hill (old).
• Young adults are curious about the birds and bees (sex).
• I need to powder my nose (go to the bathroom).
• Our company has decided to let you go (fire you).

Personification is a figure of speech that attributes human characteristics to something that is not human.

• I heard the wind whistling.
• The water danced across my window.
• My dog is telling me to start dinner.
• The moon is smiling at me.
• Her alarm hummed in the background.

Writing Figure of Speech

As a literary device, figures of speech enhance the meaning of written and spoken words. In oral communication, figures of speech can clarify, enhance description, and create interesting use of language. In writing, when figures of speech are used effectively, these devices enhance the writer’s ability for description and expression so that readers have a better understanding of what is being conveyed.

It’s important that writers construct effective figures of speech so that the meaning is not lost for the reader. In other words, simple rearrangement or juxtaposition of words is not effective in the way that deliberate wording and phrasing are. For example, the hyperbole “I could eat a horse” is effective in showing great hunger by using figurative language. If a writer tried the hyperbole “I could eat a barn made of licorice,” the figurative language is ineffective and the meaning would be lost for most readers.

Here are some ways that writers benefit from incorporating figures of speech into their work:

Figure of Speech as Artistic Use of Language

Effective use of figures of speech is one of the greatest demonstrations of artistic use of language. Being able to create poetic meaning, comparisons, and expressions with these literary devices is how writers form art with words.

Figure of Speech as Entertainment for Reader

Effective figures of speech often elevate the entertainment value of a literary work for the reader. Many figures of speech invoke humor or provide a sense of irony in ways that literal expressions do not. This can create a greater sense of engagement for the reader when it comes to a literary work.

Figure of Speech as Memorable Experience for Reader

By using effective figures of speech to enhance description and meaning, writers make their works more memorable for readers as an experience. Writers can often share a difficult truth or convey a particular concept through figurative language so that the reader has a greater understanding of the material and one that lasts in memory.

Examples of Figure of Speech in Literature

Works of literature feature innumerable figures of speech that are used as literary devices. These figures of speech add meaning to literature and showcase the power and beauty of figurative language. Here are some examples of figures of speech in well-known literary works:

Example 1:  The Great Gatsby  (F. Scott Fitzgerald)

In his blue gardens men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars.

Fitzgerald makes use of simile here as a figure of speech to compare Gatsby’s party guests to moths. The imagery used by Fitzgerald is one of delicacy and beauty, and creates an ephemeral atmosphere . However, the likening of Gatsby’s guests to moths also reinforces the idea that they are only attracted to the sensation of the parties and that they will depart without having made any true impact or connection. This simile, as a figure of speech, underscores the themes of superficiality and transience in the novel .

Example 2:  One Hundred Years of Solitude (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)

Both described at the same time how it was always March there and always Monday, and then they understood that José Arcadio Buendía was not as crazy as the family said, but that he was the only one who had enough lucidity to sense the truth of the fact that time also stumbled and had accidents and could therefore splinter and leave an eternalized fragment in a room.

In this passage, Garcia Marquez utilizes personification as a figure of speech. Time is personified as an entity that “stumbled” and “had accidents.” This is an effective use of figurative language in that this personification of time indicates a level of human frailty that is rarely associated with something so measured. In addition, this is effective in the novel as a figure of speech because time has a great deal of influence on the plot and characters of the story. Personified in this way, the meaning of time in the novel is enhanced to the point that it is a character in and of itself.

Example 3:  Fahrenheit 451 (Ray Bradbury)

A book is a loaded gun in the house next door…Who knows who might be the target of the well-read man?

In this passage, Bradbury utilizes metaphor as a figure of speech to compare a book to a loaded gun. This is an effective literary device for this novel because, in the story, books are considered weapons of free thought and possession of them is illegal. Of course, Bradbury is only stating that a book is a loaded gun as a means of figurative, not literal meaning. This metaphor is particularly powerful because the comparison is so unlikely; books are generally not considered to be dangerous weapons. However, the comparison does have a level of logic in the context of the story in which the pursuit of knowledge is weaponized and criminalized.

Related posts:

• Speech: “Is this a dagger which I see before me
• Speech: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow

Post navigation

• English Grammar
• Figures Of Speech

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)

Register with BYJU'S & Download Free PDFs

Register with byju's & watch live videos.

Figure of Speech

Figure of Speech Definition

What is a figure of speech? Here’s a quick and simple definition:

A figure of speech is a literary device in which language is used in an unusual—or "figured"—way in order to produce a stylistic effect. Figures of speech can be broken into two main groups: figures of speech that play with the ordinary meaning of words (such as metaphor , simile , and hyperbole ), and figures of speech that play with the ordinary arrangement or pattern in which words are written (such as alliteration , ellipsis , and antithesis ).

Some additional key details about figures of speech:

• The ancient Greeks and Romans exhaustively listed, defined, and categorized figures of speech in order to better understand how to effectively use language. The names of most figures of speech derive from the original Greek or Latin.
• Figures of speech that play with the literal meaning of words are called tropes , while figures of speech that play with the order or pattern of words are called schemes .
• Figures of speech can take many forms. A figure of speech can involve a single word, a phrase, an omission of a word or phrase, a repetition of words or sounds, or specific sentence structures.

Figure of Speech Pronunciation

Here's how to pronounce figure of speech: fig -yer of speech

Figures of Speech vs. Figurative Language

There's a lot of confusion about the difference between the terms "figures of speech" and " figurative language ." Most of the confusion stems from the fact that different people often use "figurative language" to mean slightly different things. The two most common (and most acceptable) definitions of figurative language are:

• Figurative language refers to any language that contains figures of speech. According to this definition, figurative language and figures of speech are not quite the same thing, but it's pretty darn close. The only difference is that figures of speech refer to each specific type of a figure of speech, while figurative language refers more generally to any language that contains any kind of figures of speech.
• Figurative language refers to words or expressions that have non-literal meanings : This definition associates figurative language only with the category of figures of speech called tropes (which are figures of speech that play with the literal meaning of words). So according to this definition, figurative language would be any language that contains tropes, but not language that contains the figures of speech called schemes.

You might encounter people using figurative speech to mean either of the above, and it's not really possible to say which is correct. But if you know about these two different ways of relating figurative language and figures of speech, you'll be in pretty good shape.

Figures of Speech, Tropes, and Schemes

The oldest and still most common way to organize figures of speech is to split them into two main groups: tropes and schemes.

• Tropes are figures of speech that involve a deviation from the expected and literal meaning of words.
• Schemes are figures of speech that involve a deviation from the typical mechanics of a sentence, such as the order, pattern, or arrangement of words.

The scheme/trope classification system is by no means the only way to organize figures of speech (if you're interested, you can find all sorts of different categorization methods for figures of speech here ). But it is the most common method, and is both simple and structured enough to help you understand figures of speech.

Generally, a trope uses comparison, association, or wordplay to play with the literal meaning of words or to layer another meaning on top of a word's literal meaning. Some of the most commonly used tropes are explained briefly below, though you can get even more detail on each from its specific LitCharts entry.

• Metaphor : A metaphor is a figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unrelated things by stating that one thing is another thing, even though this isn't literally true. For example, if someone says "it's raining cats and dogs," this obviously doesn't literally mean what it says—it's a metaphor that makes a comparison between the weight of "cats and dogs" and heavy rain. Metaphors are tropes because their effect relies not on the mechanics of the sentence, but rather on the association created by the use of the phrase "cats and dogs" in a non-literal manner.
• Simile : A simile, like a metaphor, makes a comparison between two unrelated things. However, instead of stating that one thing is another thing (as in metaphor), a simile states that one thing is like another thing. To stick with cats and dogs, an example of a simile would be to say "they fought like cats and dogs."
• Oxymoron : An oxymoron pairs contradictory words in order to express new or complex meanings. In the phrase "parting is such sweet sorrow" from Romeo and Juliet , "sweet sorrow" is an oxymoron that captures the complex and simultaneous feelings of pain and pleasure associated with passionate love. Oxymorons are tropes because their effect comes from a combination of the two words that goes beyond the literal meanings of those words.
• Hyperbole : A hyperbole is an intentional exaggeration of the truth, used to emphasize the importance of something or to create a comic effect. An example of a hyperbole is to say that a backpack "weighs a ton." No backpack literally weighs a ton, but to say "my backpack weighs ten pounds" doesn't effectively communicate how burdensome a heavy backpack feels. Once again, this is a trope because its effect comes from understanding that the words mean something different from what they literally say.

Other Common Tropes

• Antanaclasis
• Onomatopoeia
• Personification
• Periphrasis
• Rhetorical Question

Schemes are mechanical—they're figures of speech that tinker with words, sounds, and structures (as opposed to meanings) in order to achieve an effect. Schemes can themselves be broken down in helpful ways that define the sort of tinkering they employ.

• Repetition: Repeating words, phrases, or even sounds in a particular way.
• Omission: Leaving out certain words or punctuation that would normally be expected.
• Changes of word order: Shifting around words or phrases in atypical ways.
• Balance: Creating sentences or phrases with equal parts, often through the use of identical grammatical structures.

Some of the most commonly used schemes are explained briefly below, though you can get even more detail on each from its specific LitCharts entry.

• Alliteration : In alliteration, the same sound repeats in a group of words, such as the “b” sound in: “ B ob b rought the b ox of b ricks to the b asement.” Alliteration uses repetition to create a musical effect that helps phrases to stand out from the language around them.
• Assonance : A scheme in which vowel sounds repeat in nearby words, such as the "ee" sound in the proverb: "the squ ea ky wh ee l gets the gr ea se." Like alliteration, assonance uses repeated sounds to create a musical effect in which words echo one another—it's a scheme because this effect is achieved through repetition of words with certain sounds, not by playing with the meaning of words.
• Ellipsis : The deliberate omission of one or more words from a sentence because their meaning is already implied. In the example, "Should I call you, or you me?" the second clause uses ellipsis. While its implication is "or should you call me," the context of the sentence allows for the omission of "should" and "call." Ellipsis is a scheme because it involves an uncommon usage of language.
• Parallelism : The repetition of sentence structure for emphasis and balance. This can occur in a single sentence, such as "a penny saved is a penny earned," and it can also occur over the course of a speech, poem, or other text. Parallelism is a scheme because it creates emphasis through the mechanics of sentence structure, rather than by playing with the actual meanings of words.

Other Common Schemes

• Anadiplosis
• Antimetabole
• Brachylogia
• Epanalepsis
• Parenthesis
• Polysyndeton

Figure of Speech Examples

Figures of speech can make language more inventive, more beautiful, more rhythmic, more memorable, and more meaningful. It shouldn't be a surprise, then, that figures of speech are plentiful in all sorts of written language. The examples below show a variety of different types of figures of speech. You can see many more examples of each type at their own specific LitChart entries.

Figures of Speech Examples in Literature

Literature is riddled with figures of speech because figures of speech make language colorful and complex.

Metaphor in Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca

On and on, now east now west, wound the poor thread that once had been our drive. Sometimes I thought it lost, but it appeared again, beneath a fallen tree perhaps, or struggling on the other side of a muddied ditch created by the winter rains.

In this quote from Rebecca , Daphne du Maurier refers to a washed-out road as "the poor thread." This is a metaphor —and a trope—because the writer indirectly compares the thread to the road and expects that readers will understand that "thread" is not used literally.

Parallelism in Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way.

In the famous opening line of A Tale of Two Cities , Dickens uses parallelism —a scheme in which parts of a sentence repeat—in order to emphasize the contradictions of the time in which the book is set. Dickens has manipulated his sentence structure so that the parallel clauses emphasize the oppositional nature of his words ("it was the best of times, it was the worst of times"). The figure of speech doesn't play with the meaning of words, it emphasizes them through structure and repetition, which is why it is a scheme.

Alliteration in Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Birthmark"

In this manner, s electing it as the s ymbol of his wife's liability to s in, s orrow, d ecay, and d eath, Aylmer's s ombre imagination was not long in rendering the birthmark a frightful object, causing him more trouble and horror than ever Georgiana's beauty, whether of s oul or s ense, had given him delight.

This passage from " The Birthmark " uses alliteration to tie together all of the things that Georgiana's birthmark is supposed to symbolize. By using words that alliterate—"sin and sorrow" and "decay and death," for example—Hawthorne is making the reader feel that these ideas are connected, rather than simply stating that they are connected. Alliteration is a figure of speech—a scheme—because it uses the mechanics of language to emphasize meaning.

Verbal Irony in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar

For Brutus is an honorable man; So are they all, all honorable men,

This quote from Julius Caesar comes from Marc Antony's speech at Caesar's funeral. Antony needs to hold Brutus and his conspirators accountable for Caesar's death without contradicting the crowd's positive impression of Brutus, so Antony uses verbal irony to simultaneously please and trouble the crowd. On the surface, Antony says what the audience wants to hear (that Brutus is honorable), but it becomes clear over the course of his speech that he means the opposite of what he says (and over time he convinces the audience to believe this opposite meaning as well). This is a figure of speech (a trope) because it's based on a play on the meaning of Antony's words.

Figures of Speech Examples in Music

Figures of speech are also common in music. Schemes fit naturally with songs because both schemes and songs manipulate sound and rhythm to enhance the meanings of words. Music also uses many tropes, because using words that have meanings beyond their literal ones makes language more interesting, and it allows songwriters to create music that uses just a few words to imply a complex meaning.

Assonance and Metaphor in Rihanna's "Diamonds"

So sh ine br igh t ton igh t, you and I We're beautiful l i ke d i amonds in the sk y Eye to eye , so al i ve We're beautiful l i ke d i amonds in the sk y

Rihanna uses assonance when she repeats the " eye " sound throughout the chorus of "Diamonds." This make the words echo one another, which emphasizes the similarity between the singer, the person she's talking about, and the "diamonds in the sky" to which she's comparing them both. Assonance is a scheme because it's using the sound of words—not their meaning—to draw a parallel between different things.

Rihanna also uses the phrase "Diamonds in the sky" as a metaphor for stars. This is a trope—a phrase that means something other than what it literally says—as Rihanna obviously doesn't think that there are actually diamonds in the sky. This verse is a good example of how figures of speech can often work together and overlap. In this case, the metaphor that allows her to use "diamonds" instead of "stars" also fits into her use of assonance (because "stars" lacks the "eye" sound).

Personification in Green Day's "Good Riddance"

Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go

While the first line of this song uses "a fork stuck in the road" as a metaphor for a choice, the more arresting figure of speech at work here is the personification of time in the second line. By giving "time" human characteristics—the ability to grab a person and tell them where to go—Green Day is helping listeners to make sense of the power that time has over people. This is a trope because the line doesn't mean what it literally says; instead, it's asking listeners to make a comparison between the characteristics of time and the characteristics of a person.

Anastrophe in Public Enemy's "Fight the Power"

Straight up racist that sucker was Simple and plain

In the line "Straight up racist that sucker was," Public Enemy uses anastrophe (which is the inversion of typical word order) to preserve the rhythm of the verse. Instead of saying "That sucker was straight up racist," Public Enemy chooses an odd phrasing that has one stressed syllable followed by two unstressed syllables— " ra cist that su cker was/ Sim ple and plain ." This way, the beat falls more regularly across those two lines, which allows the rapper to make his point (that Elvis was racist) without the flow sounding awkward. Since anastrophe manipulates the order of words in order to achieve a rhythmic effect, it's a scheme.

Why Do Writers Use Figures of Speech?

Figures of speech is a category that encompasses a broad variety of literary terms, so it's difficult to give one answer to this question. Writers use different figures of speech to achieve different effects.

Schemes (figures of speech that manipulate sound, syntax, and word order) can make language more beautiful, persuasive, or memorable. Writers can use schemes to draw attention to an important passage, to create a sound that mirrors (or contrasts with) the meaning of words, or to give language a rhythm that draws the reader in. As schemes tend to work through sound and rhythm, they generally produce a visceral effect, or an effect felt in the body—broadly speaking, schemes are more sensory than intellectual.

In contrast, writers use tropes to grab the reader intellectually by adding complexity or ambiguity to an otherwise simple word or phrase. Tropes can ask the reader to make a comparison between two unlike things, they can impose human qualities on nonhumans, and they can mean the opposite of what they say. Tropes engage the intellect because the reader has to be alert to the fact that tropes do not use language at face value—a trope never means what it literally says.

All figures of speech help a writer to communicate ideas that are difficult to say in words or that are more effectively communicated non-verbally. This could be by repeating harsh consonants to create a scary atmosphere, or by using a metaphor to impose the qualities of something concrete (say, a rose) onto something more difficult to define (say, love). In general, figures of speech attempt to bring out a reader's emotion and to capture their attention by making language more colorful, surprising, and complex.

Other Helpful Figure of Speech Resources

• Silva Rhetoricae on Figures of Speech : An excellent reference from BYU that explains the various ways that figures of speech have been categorized over history, including into schemes and tropes.
• Silva Rhetoricae on schemes and tropes :
• The Oxford Reference Page for Figure of Speech : A helpful definition of figures of speech in the context of the ancient study of rhetoric (did you know that the Roman rhetorician Quintillian defined "figure of speech" in 95 AD?)
• What Are Tropes in Language? Skip to the "Distinction Between Figures and Tropes" section and read to the end—full of informative and thought-provoking discussion about tropes.
• A YouTube video about tropes and schemes with pop culture examples.

• PDFs for all 136 Lit Terms we cover
• Downloads of 1941 LitCharts Lit Guides
• Teacher Editions for every Lit Guide
• Explanations and citation info for 40,925 quotes across 1941 books
• Downloadable (PDF) line-by-line translations of every Shakespeare play
• Alliteration
• Climax (Figure of Speech)
• Figurative Language
• Parallelism
• Verbal Irony
• Juxtaposition
• Colloquialism
• Characterization
• External Conflict
• Slant Rhyme
• Connotation
• Bildungsroman

Situational Irony Can Be Funny, Tragic or Even Terrifying

I rony is one of those things that everybody seems know about but few seem able to precisely define. To make matters more complicated still, there are different kinds of irony (cosmic irony, dramatic irony, verbal irony and so forth).

Here, we'll be looking at situational irony , including its definition and how best to use it in your own writing.

What Is Situational Irony?

Situational irony involves a set of circumstances where the outcome is the opposite of what would normally be expected. You'll most commonly encounter it as a literary device, although you can definitely experience situational irony in reality as well.

Situational Irony: Uses and Effects

As a literary device, situational irony can serve a wide variety of functions, whether to further a plot, set up a story or create a mood. Situational irony gets a great deal of its effect as a literary technique by creating surprise in the mind of the audience. From there, you can go in almost any direction.

• Narrative structure : Situational irony can be a great way to get a story going. For instance, a character who expects a massive inheritance learns that their benefactor actually died broke. Now, they must face a completely different set of prospects in life.
• Humor : Situational irony abounds in comedy . Think of the long-honored tradition in the romantic comedy genre, where two characters who appear to be the exact opposite in terms of temperament eventually fall in love.
• Horror and suspense : In the old hair-raising trope, the frightened characters discover that "the call is coming from inside the house!" This is scary precisely because it's the last place we'd expect a threatening figure to be calling from.

3 Everyday Examples of Situational Irony

Here are some examples of situational irony that could be encountered in everyday reality.

• A fire station burning down : This is probably one of the most famous examples of situational irony, though it may not be based on any real event. Here, the irony arises from the expectation that a fire station would be staffed by people who are trained to prevent such an outcome.
• A fitness guru dying of heart disease : You would probably expect an expert in health and fitness to live a long and healthy life, but in this example of situational irony, the guru falls victim to a common affliction often associated with disregard for one's health.
• A professional gambler losing all his money on a simple coin toss : This example of situational irony arises from the expectation that a professional gambler wouldn't make such a foolish bet.

Situational Irony in Literature

The history of storytelling abounds with examples of situational irony. Indeed, it's one of the most tried-and-true ways to get an audience invested in a story, and to keep them guessing through all the plot twists and world building.

• "Julius Caesar" : In Shakespeare's play, the protagonist Julius Caesar is betrayed by his closest confidante in a poignant example of situational irony.
• "Oedipus Rex" : In the classic play by Sophocles, King Oedipus learns that of the plague, which he has vowed to discover and reverse, is in fact a result of his own actions.
• " The Story of an Hour " : In this short story by Kate Chopin, a wife, after being erroneously informed of her husband's death, is surprised to feel a sense of newfound freedom. This turns to shock when the husband arrives at home, very much alive, and the wife dies from a heart attack.

How to Write Situational Irony

Good writers often develop a kind of sixth sense for situational irony. Indeed, the ironic perspective can be a major asset for storytelling.

Recall that our situational irony definition involved circumstances that appear to be the opposite of what the reader might have expected. Knowing when to anticipate the expectations of an audience — and exploiting the difference between what they assume will happen and what actually will happen — can make all the difference in storytelling.

As an exercise, see if you can recognize some common examples of situational irony in your own life. You'll probably be surprised at how often this occurs.

Then, try to extrapolate from this, starting at the level of a short story. When you are wondering where the plot should go next, consider what might be expected, then imagine what the opposite would be.

6 Other Types of Irony

Situational irony is the kind you're most likely to encounter, although it's far from the only variety available. There are plenty of options for the irony aficionado to choose from.

• Cosmic irony : In cosmic irony, the dimensions of the ironic situation are extended to include the entire universe, and usually a divine entity of some kind. Often, the entity will intrude upon the actions of the story, changing things in a surprising way.
• Dramatic irony : Dramatic irony arises from the audience knowing things about the characters or plot in a story that the characters themselves don't know.
• Historical irony : Historical irony occurs when the advantage of hindsight reveals something ironic about the past. This can pertain to the life of the main character, or even to an entire nation.
• Poetic irony : Poetic irony, more commonly known as poetic justice, refers to a literary convention where virtue is rewarded and vice is punished. This state of affairs is achieved at the end of a work (and not necessarily in poetry ), usually via an unexpected twist, hence the "irony."
• Structural irony : Structural irony is like situational irony, but it usually exists throughout a work. A naive protagonist — at other times, an unreliable narrator — will consistently misinterpret events and actions in their own reality, establishing a theme of irony that pervades the work.
• Verbal irony : After situational irony, this is probably the most common form of irony you'll encounter. Verbal irony occurs when someone says something, but instead of the literal meaning of their words, they mean something different (often, the complete opposite). Sarcasm is an example of this kind of irony.

Original article: Situational Irony Can Be Funny, Tragic or Even Terrifying