Yes, irony is considered a form of figurative language. It involves a contrast between expectation and reality, often to emphasize a point or create humor.
There are different types of irony:
- Verbal Irony: When someone says one thing but means another, often the opposite. For example, if it’s pouring rain and someone remarks, ‘What lovely weather we’re having!’, that’s verbal irony.
- Situal Irony: This occurs when there is a disparity between what is expected in a situation and what actually happens. For instance, a fire station burning down is an example of situational irony.
- Dramatic Irony: This happens when the audience knows something that the characters do not. For example, in a horror movie, when the audience knows the killer is behind the door but the protagonist does not, it creates tension through dramatic irony.
Irony adds depth to writing and helps to convey messages in a nuanced way, allowing readers to see beyond the literal meanings of words.