1A cutting or mocking remark that criticizes someone or something indirectly; can carry a bitter or humorous edge.
彼は褒めているようで、実は皮肉を言っているのだとすぐわかった。
I quickly realized that although he seemed to be praising me, he was actually being sarcastic.
「さすが、仕事が早いですね」と皮肉たっぷりに言われた。
She said, "Wow, you sure work fast," dripping with sarcasm.
彼のスピーチには社会への皮肉が込められていた。
His speech was laced with irony directed at society.
皮肉を言うつもりはなかったが、相手は気を悪くしたようだ。
I didn't mean to be sarcastic, but it seems I offended the other person.
2Used as 皮肉な or 皮肉にも to describe an outcome that turns out the opposite of what was expected or intended — an ironic twist of fate.
皮肉なことに、彼が一番恐れていた事故が実際に起きてしまった。
Ironically, the very accident he feared most actually happened.
遅刻を避けようと早めに家を出たのに、皮肉にも渋滞に巻き込まれた。
I left home early to avoid being late, but ironically I got caught in a traffic jam.
健康のために始めた運動でケガをするとは、何とも皮肉な話だ。
It's quite ironic to get injured from exercise you started for the sake of your health.
3A less common usage meaning something merely superficial, lacking real substance.
彼の謝罪は皮肉なもので、心のこもったものではなかった。
His apology was merely superficial and not heartfelt.
4Archaic literal meaning: 'skin and flesh,' i.e. the body; this usage is no longer used.