How to pronounce irony
Say it like EYE-ruh-nee. Irony has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (EYE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce irony. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- EYE
- ruh
- nee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Irony pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- EYESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- ruhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- neeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of irony
American and British speakers say irony in essentially the same way: /ˈaɪrəni/ in the US and /ˈaɪrəni/ in the UK.
British respelling: EYE-ruh-nee.
What does irony mean?
- witty language used to convey insults or scorn“he used sarcasm to upset his opponent”“irony is wasted on the stupid”
- incongruity between what might be expected and what actually occurs“the irony of Ireland's copying the nation she most hated”
- a trope that involves incongruity between what is expected and what occurs
Where does irony come from?
First attested in 1502.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying irony
How do you pronounce irony?
Say EYE-ruh-nee. The American pronunciation is /ˈaɪrəni/. In British English it is /ˈaɪrəni/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in irony?
Irony has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (EYE). Broken into parts: EYE · ruh · nee.
Do Americans and Brits say irony the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈaɪrəni/ and the British form is /ˈaɪrəni/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.