What does ironise mean?
Ironise is a verb meaning to express something ironically, especially to expose contradictions, hypocrisy, or absurdity through irony or mockery. A writer may ironise a political promise, while a speaker may simply ironise, meaning that the remark is deliberately ironic rather than straightforward. The word is more common in British English, while ironize is the standard American spelling, and its tone can range from playful and cutting to analytical. Ironise should not be confused with irony itself: irony is the contrast or discrepancy between what is said and what is intended or expected, whereas ironise is the deliberate verbal act of using that contrast. The word is especially useful in satire, criticism, and literary analysis, where an author comments on a subject while seeming to describe it neutrally. Its controlled ambiguity also makes it valuable for exposing pretension and undermining sweeping claims.
verbTo express or represent something ironically, often to expose contradictions, hypocrisy, or absurdity through mockery or criticism.
- To speak or write ironically, especially in order to mock, criticise, or expose the absurdity of someone or something.
"The cartoonist chose to ironise politicians' habit of making promises they could not keep."
"The comedian used dry observations to ironise official announcements."
"The novelist frequently ironises the ideals of conventional society."
Ancient Greek eirōn meant “one who dissembles,” so ironise preserves the old idea of saying one thing while meaning another.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does ironise come from?
The word is an English derivative of irony, which was borrowed from Latin ironia, a Latinized form of ancient Greek eirōneia. Greek eirōneia was associated with eirōn, “a dissembler” or one who speaks contrary to their thoughts, giving the word its long-standing connection with saying one thing while meaning another. The verb was later formed from irony with the English suffix -ise; the American spelling uses -ize, while ironic and irony preserve the same root.
Related word forms
How ironise is actually used
The verb may be transitive, taking the person, institution, or situation being treated ironically, or intransitive when the ironic tone is already clear. The spelling is more common in British English, while American usage usually has ironize. Its tone ranges from playful and cutting to analytical and literary.
Easily confused with ironise
Irony names the contrast or discrepancy between what is said and what is intended or expected, whereas ironise is the deliberate act of expressing something through that contrast.