IRONICAL

ironic, ironical

(adjective) characterized by often poignant difference or incongruity between what is expected and what actually is; “madness, an ironic fate for such a clear thinker”; “it was ironical that the well-planned scheme failed so completely”

dry, ironic, ironical, wry

(adjective) humorously sarcastic or mocking; “dry humor”; “an ironic remark often conveys an intended meaning obliquely”; “an ironic novel”; “an ironical smile”; “with a wry Scottish wit”

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Adjective

ironical (comparative more ironical, superlative most ironical)

Characterized by or constituting (any kind of) irony.

Given to the use of irony; sarcastic.

(obsolete) Feigning ignorance; simulating lack of instruction or knowledge; exhibiting Socratic irony.

Synonyms

• ironic

Source: Wiktionary


I*ron"ic*al, a. Etym: [LL. ironicus, Gr. ironique. See Irony.]

1. Pertaining to irony; containing, expressing, or characterized by, irony; as, an ironical remark.

2. Addicted to the use of irony; given to irony.

– I*ron"ic*al*ly, adv.

– I*ron"ic*al*ness, n.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



RESET




Word of the Day

15 March 2025

TRUNCATION

(noun) the replacement of an edge or solid angle (as in cutting a gemstone) by a plane (especially by a plane that is equally inclined to the adjacent faces)


coffee icon

Coffee Trivia

Decaffeinated coffee is not caffeine-free. Studies from the National Institute of Health (US) have shown that virtually all decaf coffee types contain caffeine. A 236-ml (8-oz) cup of decaf coffee contains up to 7 mg of caffeine, whereas a regular cup provided 70-140 mg.

coffee icon