Irony is a literary device where the intended meaning is different from the actual meaning. For example, if a fire station burns down, it’s ironic because you would expect a place dedicated to fighting fires to be safe from them. This twist can create humor or highlight a deeper truth about a situation. There are different types of irony, including verbal irony, where someone says the opposite of what they mean, and situational irony, where the outcome is contrary to what was expected. For instance, a lifeguard drowning is an example of situational irony, as we expect them to be the best at swimming and saving lives.