Wiktionary

ironic

See also: irònic

English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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Borrowed from Late Latin īrōnicus, from Ancient Greek εἰρωνικός (eirōnikós). Compare Middle French, ironique, equivalent to irony +‎ -ic.

Pronunciation

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Adjective

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ironic (comparative more ironic, superlative most ironic)

 
An unintentionally ironic protest sign
  1. (Of a situation) Characterized by or constituting (any kind of) irony.
    It's somewhat ironic to have a wave of smog right on Earth Day.
    • 2014, Steven Pinker, The Sense of Style: The Thinking Person's Guide to Writing in the 21st Century!, page 275:
      It was ironic I forgot my textbook on human memory.
    • 2009 October 29, David Walliams [pseudonym; David Edward Williams], Mr Stink, London: HarperCollins Children’s Books, →ISBN:
      Chloe had once seen a real-life goth hanging around by a garbage bin in the high street and become incredibly excited. She really wanted to go over and ask her how to get started in the goth world, but she was too shy. Which was ironic, since shyness is something you need if you want to be a successful goth.
    1. (proscribed) Odd or coincidental; strange.
      It's ironic that we are eating a sandwich in Sandwich, Massachusetts.
  2. (preceded with "being") Acting in an unserious and teasing manner.
    Don't take it personally. We're just being ironic.
  3. (Of a statement, action, etc.) Done in an insincere and mocking manner; satirical.
    You should assume that everything this guy posts is ironic.

Usage notes

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Some writers complain about an overuse of the word ironic to extend to situations which are remarkable for reasons other than irony - perhaps just coincidental or merely odd.

Synonyms

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Derived terms

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Translations

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See also

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Anagrams

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Romanian

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Etymology

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Borrowed from French ironique, from Late Latin īrōnicus, from Ancient Greek εἰρωνικός (eirōnikós). By surface analysis, ironie +‎ -ic.

Pronunciation

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Adjective

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ironic m or n (feminine singular ironică, masculine plural ironici, feminine and neuter plural ironice)

  1. ironic

Declension

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Declension of ironic
singular plural
masculine neuter feminine masculine neuter feminine
nominative/
accusative 		indefinite ironic ironică ironici ironice
definite ironicul ironica ironicii ironicele
genitive/
dative 		indefinite ironic ironice ironici ironice
definite ironicului ironicei ironicelor ironicilor
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