Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

ironic

/aɪˈɹɑ.nɪk/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 3.80 in modern English

Syllables: iron-ic
IPA: /aɪˈɹɑ.nɪk/

8

Scrabble Score

6

Letters

3

Syllables

5

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Characterized by or constituting (any kind of) irony.

adj

Characterized by or constituting (any kind of) irony.

adj

Acting in an unserious and teasing manner.

adj

Done in an insincere and mocking manner; satirical.

Example Sentences

"It's somewhat ironic to have a wave of smog right on Earth Day."
"Chloe had once seen a real-life goth hanging around by a garbage bin in the high street and become incredibly excited. She really wanted to go over and ask her how to get started in the goth world, but she was too shy. Which was ironic, since shyness is something you need if you want to be a successful goth."
"It was ironic I forgot my textbook on human memory."
"It’s ironic that a member of a survey crew went missing […]"
"It's ironic that we are eating a sandwich in Sandwich, Massachusetts."
"Don't take it personally. We're just being ironic."

Etymology

Borrowed from Late Latin īrōnicus, from Ancient Greek εἰρωνικός (eirōnikós). Compare Middle French, ironique, equivalent to irony + -ic.

Origin

Source language: Ancient Greek

Word Breakdown

Root: εἰρωνικός
Suffix: irony

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /aɪˈɹɑ.nɪk/
British English: /aɪˈɹɒn.ɪk/

Inflected Forms

more ironic (comparative) most ironic (superlative) ironick (alternative, obsolete)

Derived Forms

ironical ironically nonironic postironic unironic

Phrases

ironic error ironic process theory self-ironic dramatic irony Socratic irony

Frequently Paired Words

dramatic irony Socratic irony

Synonyms

ironical dry wry

Rhymes With

electronic chronic iconic sonic tonic demonic harmonic embryonic ionic platonic philharmonic panasonic

Questions

How do you pronounce ironic?: The recorded pronunciation is /aɪˈɹɑ.nɪk/.
What does ironic mean?: Characterized by or constituting (any kind of) irony.
Where does ironic come from?: It is traced to Ancient Greek.

How to pronounce ironic

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “ironic”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/aɪˈɹɑ.nɪk/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “ironic”.
Repeat and practice — Say “ironic” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.