Definition
Verbal irony is when a speaker says one thing but means another, often the opposite. Sarcasm is a common form, though not every ironic line is sarcastic.
Example
What lovely weather, she said, staring at the hail pounding the windshield.
Related terms
Common mistakes
- Making every ironic line sound identical so characters blur together.
- Using sarcasm in scenes that need sincere emotional clarity.