Cognitive-ontological status of irony

The article is an analysis of the status of irony. Irony has attracted the attention of researchers since antiquity but there is still no consensus on its nature, specificity, social functions, nature, role and meaning of irony in society. Irony forms a special world-picture, determined by time, in particular, eras, styles of the era, countries, ethnic groups. The article provides examples of assessing the role of irony in various aspects.