/'aɪərənɪ; `aɪrənɪ/
n
1 [U] expression of one's meaning by saying the direct opposite of one's thoughts in order to be emphatic, amusing, sarcastic, etc 反语; 反话
*`That's really lovely, that is!' he said with heavy irony. ｀那真是可爱极了, 真的!＇他故意说反话.
2 [U, C] situation, event, etc that is desirable in itself but so unexpected or ill-timed that it appears to be deliberately perverse 有讽刺意味的情况、事情等（其本身未始不可取, 但因出人意料或来非其时而似故意乖违）
*the irony of fate 命运的嘲弄
* He inherited a fortune but died a month later; one of life's little ironies. 他继承一笔遗产後一个月就死了, 有点时乖命蹇吧.

npluralironies
[Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin;Origin: ironia, from Greek eironeia, from eiron 'person who lies']
[U and C]
a situation that is unusual or amusing because something strange happens, or the opposite of what is expected happens or is true
　Life is full of little ironies.
tragic/cruel/bitter etc irony
　The tragic irony is that the drug was supposed to save lives.
[U]
when you use words that are the opposite of what you really mean, often in order to be amusing
trace/hint/touch of irony
　Wagner calls his program 'the worst talk show in America,' without a hint of irony.
heavy irony
BrE (=a lot of irony)
　'Of course Michael won't be late; you know how punctual he always is,' she said with heavy irony.
→sarcasm
→dramatic irony