- [uncountable, countable]
the funny or strange aspect of a situation that is very different from what you expect; a situation like this （出乎意料的）奇异可笑之处；有讽刺意味的情况 It was one of life's little ironies. 那是生活中的一个小小的嘲弄。 - the irony (is) that…
The irony is that when he finally got the job, he discovered he didn't like it. 讽刺的是，当他最终得到那份工作时，他发现自己并不喜欢它。
Extra ExamplesIt is a nice irony that the Minister of Transport missed the meeting because her train was delayed. 运输大臣因为搭乘的火车晚点而错过了会议，这可真是个妙到巅毫的讽刺。 The ultimate irony is that the revolution, rather than bringing freedom, actually ended it completely. 革命非但没有带来自由，反而是完全结束了自由，这真是莫大的讽刺。 There is a certain irony in the situation. 这种情形带有某种讽刺意味。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- great
- heavy
- gentle
- …
- hint
- touch
- trace
- …
- by a… irony
- a certain irony
- [uncountable]
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 反语；反话 ‘England is famous for its food,’ she said with heavy irony. “英格兰的食物很有名哪。” 她极其讽刺地说道。 There was a note of irony in his voice. 他的声音里有一丝挖苦的味道。 She said it without a hint/trace of irony. 她说此话没有一点嘲讽之意。
Extra ExamplesTopics Languagec1He thanked us all without a touch of irony. 他感谢我们所有人，语气中不带丝毫嘲讽。 She congratulated him with gentle irony. 她略带讽刺地向他表示祝贺。 She tried to ignore the heavy irony in his voice. 她尽量不去理会他浓重的讽刺口气。 His writing is rich in irony. 他的作品反讽意味浓厚。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- great
- heavy
- gentle
- …
- hint
- touch
- trace
- …
- by a… irony
- a certain irony
see also dramatic irony, tragic irony
Word Originearly 16th cent. (also denoting irony in the Socratic sense): via Latin from Greek eirōneia ‘simulated ignorance’, from eirōn ‘dissembler’.