What is irony?

Definition
	Irony is a trope in which an expression is used in such a fashion as to convey the opposite meaning of what is expressed.

Example (English)
	Saying you’re a pretty sight to a mud-splattered child is an illustration of irony.

Source
	Corbett 1971 489–490

Concept module: irony
In overview module: Glossary (Linguistics): I
In modular book: Glossary of linguistic terms, by Eugene E. Loos (general editor), Susan Anderson (editor), Dwight H., Day, Jr. (editor), Paul C. Jordan (editor), and J. Douglas Wingate (editor)
In bookshelf: Linguistics

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 5.0 published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 2003. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 5 January 2004