Ironic describes a situation where what happens is surprisingly different from what you'd expect, often in a way that seems almost deliberately contrary. When a fire station burns down, that's ironic: the one building designed to fight fires becomes a victim of fire.

The contrast has to be meaningful, not just any surprise. If it rains on your birthday, that's disappointing but not ironic. But if a meteorologist's outdoor wedding gets rained out after she specifically chose that date because her forecast showed clear skies, that's ironic: her professional expertise failed her at the exact moment she needed it most.

People also use ironic to describe a tone of voice where you say one thing but mean the opposite, usually to be funny or make a point. If your friend shows up an hour late and you say “Nice timing!” in a certain tone, you're being ironic. You're saying the opposite of what you mean, and your friend knows it.

Today, irony shows up everywhere: in stories, conversations, and in those moments when life seems to have an unexpected sense of humor.