ironical

English

Alternative forms

• ironic

Etymology

ironic +‎ -al. Attested since the 1570s.

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)
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}
• Slovak: ironický

given to the use of irony, sarcasm

• German: ironisch (de)
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}
• Japanese: 皮肉好きな (hiniku-zuki na)
• Slovak: ironický

The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.

Translations to be checked

• Japanese: ^{(please verify)} 風刺的な (fūshi-teki na)
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}

References

• “ironical”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.
• “ironical”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.