ironically

Meanings

1. 1adverbnot comparable

   Used to point out a surprising twist in which the result is the opposite of what you would expect.

   Grammar: Often starts a sentence: Ironically, the fire station burned down.

   Patterns

   • Ironically, something happened

   Ironically, the dentist had the worst teeth in town.

   The fire station, ironically, burned down last night.

   Ironically, he missed the meeting about punctuality.

2. 2adverbnot comparable

   In a way that means the opposite of what the words say, often to mock.

   Grammar: Describes how something is said: she spoke ironically.

   Patterns

   • say something ironically

   'Great weather,' she said ironically, in the pouring rain.

   He thanked them ironically for the delay.

   She clapped ironically after the failed joke.

Common combinations

ironically enough

Ironically enough, the lifeguard couldn't swim.

say ironically

He said it ironically, not seriously.

ironically named

The ironically named Mr. Fast was always late.

smile ironically

She smiled ironically at the news.

ironically, however

Ironically, however, the plan worked.

Synonyms and how they differ

paradoxically

Paradoxically points to something that seems self-contradictory yet may be true, where ironically stresses a reversal of expectations.

sarcastically

Sarcastically is sharper and meant to hurt or mock, where ironically can be gentle.

surprisingly

Surprisingly just means unexpectedly, without the sense of an opposite twist.

satirically

Satirically implies mocking society or someone through humor.

Opposites

Word family

irony noun

a situation or statement with an opposite meaning

ironic adjective

involving irony

ironical adjective

a less common form of ironic

Commonly confused: ironically or coincidentally?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “ironically”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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