/ ˈaɪrəni; NAmE / noun ( pl. -ies )
1.
[ U , C ] the amusing or strange aspect of a situation that is very different from what you expect; a situation like this :
The irony is that when he finally got the job, he discovered he didn't like it.
It was one of life's little ironies.
2.
[ U ] the use of words that say the opposite of what you really mean, often as a joke and with a tone of voice that shows this :
'England is famous for its food,' she said with heavy irony .
There was a note of irony in his voice.
She said it without a hint / trace of irony .
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WORD ORIGIN
early 16th cent. (also denoting Socratic irony): via Latin from Greek eirōneia simulated ignorance, from eirōn dissembler.