Irony

"Ironic" redirects here. For other uses, see Irony (disambiguation).

Photograph of a parking lot with two signs in the foreground: the sign above reads "First Presbyterian church: Welcome," the sign below says "PRIVATE PARKING: UNAUTHORIZED CARS WILL BE TOWED AWAY AT OWNER'S EXPENSE"
An example of situational irony: despite the sign above reading "welcome," the sign below threatens unauthorized parking in the area with towing.

Irony, in its broadest sense, is the juxtaposition of what appears to be the case on the surface and what is actually the case or to be expected. It typically figures as a rhetorical device and literary technique. In some philosophical contexts, however, it takes on a larger significance as an entire way of life.

Irony has been defined in many different ways, and there is no general agreement about the best way to organize its various types.