Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Irony is when there's a contrast between what is expected to happen and what actually happens. It often involves humor and can be used to emphasize contradictions or highlight absurdity.
Related terms
Situational Irony: When the outcome of a situation is different from what was expected.
Verbal Irony: When someone says something but means the opposite (sarcasm).
Dramatic Irony: When the audience knows something that the characters do not.