Meaning & use
irony in poetry
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Meanings
phraseuncountableliterary
A poetic technique where the words or situation mean the opposite of what they appear to say, often creating a gap between what the speaker says and what the reader understands.
Grammar: Used as a singular, uncountable idea: 'Irony in poetry often depends on the reader's awareness.' No plural form.
Patterns
- use irony in poetry
- irony in poetry creates something
- a famous example of irony in poetry
The teacher explained that irony in poetry can make a simple compliment sound like a quiet insult.
In this poem, irony in poetry works because the speaker praises war while describing its horrors.
Students often confuse irony in poetry with a poet simply being sarcastic in daily life.
phraseuncountableliteraryformal
The study or discussion of ironic effects that poets create through contrast between expectation and reality, or between tone and meaning.
Grammar: Used in academic writing and literary criticism: 'Her essay examines irony in poetry.' No article is needed.
Patterns
- examine irony in poetry
- a study of irony in poetry
- discuss irony in poetry
His essay on irony in poetry focuses on how a calm tone can hide deep anger.
The lecture covered irony in poetry from the Romantic period to modern free verse.
She wrote her thesis on irony in poetry and its effect on readers.
Common combinations
- use irony in poetry
- Many modern poets use irony in poetry to avoid sounding too serious.
- a sense of irony in poetry
- A good reader develops a sense of irony in poetry after studying several difficult poems.
- irony in poetry and drama
- The course compares irony in poetry and drama across different centuries.
- the role of irony in poetry
- The role of irony in poetry is often to question the speaker's own feelings.
Synonyms and how they differ
- poetic irony
- A shorter, more technical term for the same idea; it often appears in titles and headings rather than in full sentences.
- sarcasm
- Sarcasm is a direct, often unkind way of saying the opposite; irony in poetry is usually more subtle and depends on the reader's interpretation.
Opposites
Word family
- ironic adjective
- Describing something that shows irony.
- ironically adverb
- In a way that shows irony.
- poet noun
- A person who writes poetry.
- poetic adjective
- Relating to poetry or having a beautiful, expressive quality.
Commonly confused: irony in poetry or irony?
irony in poetry vs irony
Irony is the general word for the contrast between what is said and what is meant; irony in poetry is the specific use of that technique in poems.
Practice
In literary studies, which sentence uses the phrase 'irony in poetry' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Option 1 is correct because 'irony in poetry' is an uncountable academic phrase used to talk about a technique. Option 0 treats it as something you can fill a poem with, which is unnatural. Option 2 uses it as a physical object. Option 3 uses a plural verb 'are', which does not fit an uncountable phrase.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “irony in poetry”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.