ironical

ironical

English

Alternative forms

• ironic

Etymology

ironic +‎ -al. Attested since the 1570s.[1]

Adjective

ironical (comparative more ironical, superlative most ironical)

1. Characterized by or constituting (any kind of) irony.
2. Given to the use of irony; sarcastic.
   • 1918, Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Gods of Mars, chapter III, page 40.

     His tone was cold and ironical; its bitterness but reflecting the terrible disappointment he had suffered.

3. (obsolete) Feigning ignorance; simulating lack of instruction or knowledge; exhibiting Socratic irony.

Derived terms

• ironically

Translations

characterized by or constituting (any kind of) irony

German: ironisch (de)

given to the use of irony, sarcasm

German: ironisch (de)

Japanese: 皮肉好きな (hiniku-zuki na)

The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout#Translations.

Translations to be checked

Japanese: (please verify) 風刺的な (fūshi-teki na)

References

1. “ironic” in Douglas Harper, Online Etymology Dictionary, 2001–2019.

• ironical in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• ironical in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.