irony Definition

irony¹
noun ironies

1. A linguistic device or form of humour that takes its effect from stating or implying the opposite of what is the case or what is intended, eg saying ‘You've made a really good job of that, haven't you', when someone has done something badly.
2. A dramatic device by which information is given to the audience that is not known to all the characters in the drama, or in which the same words are meant to convey different meanings to the audience and to the characters. Also called dramatic irony.
3. Awkward or perverse circumstances applying to a situation that is in itself satisfactory or desirable.
4. Socratic irony.

Etymology: 16c: from Latin ironia, from Greek eironeia dissimulation.

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irony²
adj

1. Belonging or relating to, or containing, iron.