Irony is a literary and rhetorical device where there is a contradiction between expectations and reality. It often highlights the difference between what is said and what is meant, or what is expected to happen and what actually occurs. For example, if a fire station burns down, it creates an ironic situation because one would expect a place dedicated to fire safety to be safe from fire. There are different types of irony, including verbal irony, situational irony, and dramatic irony. Verbal irony occurs when someone says the opposite of what they mean, while situational irony involves a surprising outcome that contrasts with what was anticipated. Dramatic irony happens when the audience knows something that the characters do not, creating tension and engagement in stories.