adv · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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Received-Pronunciation:/aɪˈɹɒnɪkli/
General-American:/aɪˈɹɑnɪkli/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
CMU ARPABET:AY0 R AA1 N IH0 K L IY0
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adv
Meaning 1
In an ironic manner; in a way displaying irony.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: manner
Examples
My colleague ironically avoids doctors like the plague!
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
adv
Meaning 2
Used to draw attention to an ironic aspect of a situation being described.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Qualifier: evaluative
Examples
Ironically, the automated checkout system ended up costing more in repairs than the workers it was meant to replace.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
adverb
Meaning 3
in an ironic manner
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
she began to mimic him ironically
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
adverb
Meaning 4
contrary to plan or expectation
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
ironically, he ended up losing money under his own plan
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
Etymology tree English ironic Proto-Indo-European *h2el-der.? Proto-Italic *-ālis Latin -ālisbor. Old French -albor. ▲ Latin -ālis Old French -elbor. ▲ Latin -ālisbor. Middle English -al Proto-Indo-European *leyg-der. Proto-Germanic *līkąder. Proto-Germanic *-līkaz Proto-Germanic *-ê Proto-Germanic *-līkê Proto-West Germanic *-līkē Old English -līċe Middle English -ly Middle English -ally English -ally English ironically From ironic + -ally.
Across languages
Translations
19 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Belarusian:
ірані́чна
(iraníčna)
— In an ironic manner
Catalan:
irònicament
— In an ironic manner
Dutch:
ironisch
— In an ironic manner
Esperanto:
ironie
— In an ironic manner
Finnish:
ironisesti
— In an ironic manner
French:
ironiquement
— In an ironic manner
Galician:
ironicamente
— In an ironic manner
German:
ironisch
— In an ironic manner
Italian:
ironicamente
— In an ironic manner
Polish:
ironicznie
— In an ironic manner
Portuguese:
ironicamente
— In an ironic manner
Romanian:
ironic
— In an ironic manner
Russian:
ирони́чно
(ironíčno)
— In an ironic manner
Russian:
ирони́чески
(ironíčeski)
— In an ironic manner
Slovak:
ironicky
— In an ironic manner
Spanish:
irónicamente
— In an ironic manner
Ukrainian:
іроні́чно
(ironíčno)
— In an ironic manner