What Is Verbal Irony? | Definition, Types & Examples
Verbal irony is a figure of speech in which the literal meaning of what someone says is different to the actual meaning.
Verbal irony is intentional and can be used to create humor or to make a point. Because verbal irony allows us to communicate ideas or emotions indirectly, it adds depth and nuance to our communication.
Verbal irony is common in literature and in everyday conversations, but it should be avoided in academic writing or professional communication.
What is verbal irony?
Verbal irony is a type of irony that occurs when the literal meaning of what someone says is different to the underlying meaning. In literature, verbal irony is a common trope, and it can be found in plays, novels, and poetry.
Writers use verbal irony to convey subtle messages or to create humor.
For verbal irony to work, the audience needs to interpret the underlying meaning based on context. For example, if there is a blizzard outside and someone comments “Beautiful day, isn’t it?”, others can easily infer that this is verbal irony. What this person actually means is the opposite of what they have said.
Types of verbal irony
Some common types of verbal irony include:
Sarcasm
Sarcasm is a form of verbal irony in which someone says the opposite of what they mean. The goal is usually to ridicule someone or something, to express irritation, or to be funny.
Overstatement
Overstatement occurs when the speaker exaggerates the importance of something, usually for comedic effect or to emphasize a point.
Understatement
Understatement is the opposite of overstatement, and it involves downplaying the importance of something. The irony lies in the discrepancy between what one would be expected to say and what they actually say.
Ironic similes are a form of verbal irony in which we use a simile (i.e., a comparison between two unlike things). Because the comparison is unexpected or contrary to the typical associations between the two things being compared, ironic similes can make a description more vivid and humorous.
Verbal irony examples
Verbal irony often occurs in both literature and everyday life.
Verbal irony in literature
Verbal irony appears frequently in literature, especially in dialogue, to make the plot more engaging.
For example, Oscar Wilde uses verbal irony in his play An Ideal Husband.
It can also be seen in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet when Juliet tells her mother, Lady Capulet, that she will not marry Paris, the suitor her parents have chosen.
Verbal irony in everyday life
In everyday life, we often use verbal irony without realizing it.
Frequently asked questions about verbal irony
- What is the difference between verbal irony and Socratic irony?
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Verbal irony and Socratic irony are both types of irony used in speech. However, they have different goals.
- Verbal irony is a figure of speech in which we intentionally say something different to what we mean. This is usually done to create humor or make a point.
- Socratic irony is a rhetorical technique in which the speaker feigns ignorance on a topic to encourage the other side to explain their ideas. This form of irony is a teaching technique used to stimulate critical thinking and challenge or expose contradictions in someone’s arguments.
In short, verbal irony is used primarily for humor or oblique criticism, whereas Socratic irony is a didactic tool.
- What are some examples of verbal irony in “The Cask of Amontillado”?
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In “The Cask of Amontillado,” Poe uses verbal irony throughout the text to build suspense and add a touch of dark humor, as seen in the examples below.
- The main character, Montresor, makes a toast to Fortunato’s good health, saying, “I drink to your long life.” However, the reader knows that he intends to kill him.
- When Fortunato has a coughing fit because of the dampness in the catacombs, Montresor pretends he is concerned, stating, “We will go back. Your health is precious.” In reality, Montresor brought Fortunato to the catacombs to murder him, so this phrase is highly ironic.
- When Fortunato asks Montresor if he is a mason, he means a Freemason. Montresor’s answer is “yes.” However, Montresor means that he is a craftsman, since he will be entombing Fortunato in stone.
- What is the difference between understatement and verbal irony?
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Understatement and verbal irony are related figures of speech but have distinct characteristics.
- Understatement involves deliberately downplaying the significance of a situation to create emphasis or humor, or to be polite (e.g., a team captain describing their performance as “decent” when their team wins the championship).
- Verbal irony, on the other hand, involves saying the opposite of what is meant for humor, sarcasm, or to make a point (e.g., saying “What a beautiful day” when it is raining heavily).
In short, both understatement and verbal irony use indirect language to convey meaning, but they do so in different ways.
While they are separate rhetorical devices, they can sometimes overlap, with understatement serving as a form of verbal irony and vice versa.