What is the definition of irony for kids?

Irony is a figure of speech and one of the most widely- known literary devices, which is used to express a strong emotion or raise a point. As defined, Irony is the use of words to convey a meaning that is opposite of what is actually said.

Considering this, what does irony mean in simple terms?

noun. The definition of irony is the use of words where the meaning is the opposite of their usual meaning or what is expected to happen. An example of irony is someone who talks a lot having nothing to say when asked a question. An example of irony is a whaling ship being used to save marine animals after a tsunami.

Also, what are examples of irony? Common Examples of Situational Irony

A fire station burns down.
A marriage counselor files for divorce.
The police station gets robbed.
A post on Facebook complaining how useless Facebook is.
A traffic cop gets his license suspended because of unpaid parking tickets.
A pilot has a fear of heights.

Hereof, how do you explain irony to a child?

This type of irony occurs when the audience or readers know more about a situation than the character does. This type of irony occurs when what actually happens is the opposite of what is expected or appropriate. This type of irony occurs when a character says one thing but really means the opposite.

Is irony a form of sarcasm?

Sarcasm can only be verbal whereas Irony can be situational or dramatic. Sarcasm is designed as an attack. Irony can be innocent but sarcasm is used with the intent to mock or hurt somebody. Sarcasm is a purposeful statement of the opposite of what is intended.

21 Related Question Answers Found

How is irony different from sarcasm?

Irony is used to convey, usually, the opposite meaning of the actual things you say, but its purpose is not intended to hurt the other person. Sarcasm, while still keeping the "characteristic" that you mean the opposite of what you say, unlike irony it is used to hurt the other person.

What is irony and its examples?

Verbal irony occurs when a speaker's intention is the opposite of what he or she is saying. For example, a character stepping out into a hurricane and saying, “What nice weather we're having!” Situational irony occurs when the actual result of a situation is totally different from what you'd expect the result to be.

How do you use irony in a sentence?

irony Sentence Examples

I failed to detect any irony in his tone.
He loved the irony of the situation.
In an irony of war, they were shelled by their own artillery.
The tragic irony was lost on nobody involved with the production.

Which is the best example of dramatic irony?

Example #1: Macbeth (By J William Shakespeare)

This is one of the best examples of dramatic irony. In this case, Duncan says that he trusts Macbeth, not knowing about the prophecy of witches that Macbeth is going to be the king, and that he would kill him. The audience, on the other hand, knows about the prophecy.

What are the 5 example of irony?

Example #5: The Gift of the Magi (By W.H. Auden) This is an example of situational irony, in which the wife sells her most prized possession – her hair – to get her husband a Christmas present; and the husband sells his most dear possession – the gold watch – to get his wife a Christmas present.

What is irony confused with?

Irony is often confused with sarcasm. While the two are similar, in sarcasm there is a stronger intent to ridicule or mock, often harshly or crudely. Dramatic irony is inherent in speeches or a situation of a drama and is understood by the audience but not grasped by the characters in the play.

What is an irony sentence?

Irony in a Sentence ??

a state of affairs that is contrary to what is expected and is therefore amusing. Examples of Irony in a sentence. 1. The irony of the situation is that Frank wanted to scare his little sister, but she ended up scaring him instead.

What is a example of verbal irony?

Verbal irony occurs when the literal meaning of what someone says is different from—and often opposite to—what they actually mean. When there's a hurricane raging outside and someone remarks "what lovely weather we're having," this is an example of verbal irony.

Why is irony used?

Why is it important? Authors can use irony to make their audience stop and think about what has just been said, or to emphasize a central idea. The audience's role in realizing the difference between what is said and what is normal or expected is essential to the successful use of irony.

What are the 4 types of irony?

These types include dramatic, situational, and verbal irony, along with their offshoots and related terms.

Types of irony

Dramatic irony.
Situational irony.
Verbal irony.

What is the literary 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.

What part of speech is ironic?

adjective. using words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning; containing or exemplifying irony: an ironic novel; an ironic remark.

Why is irony so funny?

Irony is unexpected. It's used when something ends in a way that is not what is expected, yet entirely related to what comes prior to it. While this is a specific type of humor, it is also the basic structure of most jokes. Once they do this they will laugh, because they have achieved the task inherent in the joke.

How do you answer irony questions?

Approach: To answer questions on irony, it is important to understand the literal meaning of the words and also the context of the text. The literal meaning of the words, in contrast with our understanding of the text would facilitate our understanding of this sardonic literary style the author has engaged in.

How is irony used in writing?

Situational irony: When the result of an action is contrary to the desired or expected effect. Dramatic Irony: When words and actions possess a significance that the listener or audience understands, but the speaker or character does not.

What is a example of hyperbole?

Hyperbole in Everyday Use

I've told you to clean your room a million times! It was so cold, I saw polar bears wearing hats and jackets. She's so dumb, she thinks Taco Bell is a Mexican phone company. I am so hungry I could eat a horse. I have a million things to do today.