Irony

Irony refers to a situation where there is a contrast between expectations and reality. It's often characterized by an outcome that is opposite to what was anticipated, creating a surprising effect. For instance, a fire station burning down is ironic because you would expect a place dedicated to fire safety to be the least likely to catch fire. Irony can be verbal, where someone says the opposite of what they mean, or situational, where events turn out unexpectedly. It is commonly used in literature and everyday life to add humor, highlight contradictions, or provoke thought.