Because of this, an oxymoron is often referred to as a contradiction in terms. Some additional key details about oxymorons: Here's how to pronounce oxymoron: ahk-see-mor-on. Yes. 'Simile' and 'metaphor' are just the beginning. "Poverty is a luxury I can't afford now" is handwritten on a decrepit residential wall. Oxymoron is often confused with other related terms, such as "contradiction in terms," "paradox," and "antonym." Heres a quick and simple definition: An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which two contradictory terms or ideas are intentionally paired in order to make a pointparticularly to reveal a deeper or hidden truth. Theme music by Joshua Stamper 2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP. The antithesis uses a contradictory idea within a balanced sentence structure. Single word searches bring you to the word page. You might find . An oxymoronis a figure of speech, usually one or two words, in which seemingly contradictory terms appear side by side. Twitter - Facebook ThoughtCo. Find scrabble words by points! Word lists are in the order of the most common words and most searched. If you're learning English as a second language, you might be confused by these figures of speech. Now you can see that oxymorons add humor or drama to speech or writing, allowing you to make a funny or pointed remark. Starts with o, ends with n, five consonants, three vowels and four syllables. Root word search. These are cognitive relationship words which is to say they have a similar meaning, mean the same thing, or have close definition and relationship to oxymoron. In this poem, Lord Byron uses the oxymoron melancholy merriment to describe the feelings and connections between sadness and joy. Google answer: MORON is (obsolete) a person of borderline intelligence in the former classification of mental retardation, having of an intelligence quotient of 50-69 while OXYMORON is a figure of speech in which two words with opposing meanings are used together intentionally for effect. These phrases combine to create a whole new concept. As the example's author, Richard Watson Todd, said, "The true beauty of oxymorons is that, unless we sit back and really think, we happily accept them as normalEnglish. This contradiction creates a paradoxical image in the reader or listener's mind that generates a new concept or meaning for the whole. We found a total of 35 words by unscrambling the letters in oxymoron. Sometimes people aren't trying to make a profound statement when they use oxymorons. Learn English They have an inverted moral code that values "the foul" and dislikes "the fair." will bring you to a list of words spelled with _a-z_. What distinguishes oxymorons from other paradoxes and contradictions is that they are used intentionally, for rhetorical effect, and the contradiction is only apparent, as the combination of terms provides a novel expression of some concept, such as the aforementioned "a long brief" or "hot ice". He gave me a. "100 Awfully Good Examples of Oxymorons." While we are loath to place restrictions on language use, oxymoron usually refers to a set of contradictory words (such as bittersweet) rather than to a contradictory person. Part of Speech: Noun. Variety is the spice of life. Oxymorons are not meant to be taken literally. Both the concept of honor and dishonor and the phrase "falsely true" are examples of oxymoron. Smiles are rarely associated with pain. To please a companion. Wow, these dolls are great. Oxymoron Pronunciation: ahk-si-mo-ronMeaning: A figure of speech in which opposite or contradictory words-ostensibly semantic opposites-are combined to create a rhetorical effect by paradoxical means, e.g. Instead, they want to be witty and show they can use words to make people laugh. The word is derived from two ancient Greek words: oxys, which means "sharp," and moronos, which means "dull" or "stupid." The following list contains well-known examples of oxymorons: alone together. 1. How to use oxymoron in a sentence. The cat (and its speed) speed is compared to the wind. Learn a new word every day. Juxtaposition is designed to compare or contrast, while oxymorons are a type of word play that either create a new phrase or emphasize a point using two elements. Late Greek oxymron, from neuter of oxymros pointedly foolish, from Greek oxys sharp, keen + mros foolish. oxymoron, a word or group of words that is self-contradicting, as in bittersweet or plastic glass. However, the terms are also complementary as a pair. The word oxymoron is an oxymoron; 'oxy' comes from the Greek word that means 'sharp', while 'moron' comes from the Greek word that means 'dull'. It presents one thing as another completely different thing so as to draw a powerful comparison of images. Answer (1 of 9): Google "literary devices list with examples". Some examples of oxymorons include: Sweet sorrow; Cruel kindness; Living dead; The focus of antithesis is opposites rather than contradictions. An Oxymoron is a combination of contradictory or incongruous words, such as 'Cruel Kindness' or 'Jumbo Shrimp' Above are the results of unscrambling oxymoron. Oxymorons are often used to add comedy and display wit. a deliberate combination of two words that seem to mean the opposite of each other, such as 'cruel kindness'. A crisis is defined as a time of serious difficulty or importance. An oxymoron is a literary device that juxtaposes contradictory terms. Bringing them together into one phrase can produce a verbally puzzling, yet engaging, effect. An oxymoron is a rhetorical device in which seemingly contradictory or incongruous terms appear in conjunction with each other. Dr. Richard Nordquist is professor emeritus of rhetoric and English at Georgia Southern University and the author of several university-level grammar and composition textbooks. Nabokov's novel Ada tells the story of Van and Ada, a sister and brother who meet as teenagers and fall in love, believing that they are cousins. Here is a comprehensive list of 64 examples of oxymorons in sentences. The defining characteristic of an oxymoron is combining words or phrases that have opposite meanings. The phrase terrific liar pairs two words that have opposing connotations. Who are you? When a single word contains two conflicting ideas. 4 Answers. One of the best known examples of oxymoron is 'jumbo shrimp.' How can something be both 'jumbo' (huge) and 'shrimp' (which means small)? Through the phrase terrific liar, Holden is admitting that he is both a deceptive person and that hes extraordinarily great at being so. My play was a complete success. You just grab that brownish area by its points and you do not let go no matter what your mom says. For example, oxymoron phrases such as marital bliss, military intelligence,andbusiness ethics,depending on how they are used as figures of speech, can be effective literary devices to indicate irony. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that deliberately uses two contradictory ideas. An oxymoron is a figure of speech made up of words with very different meanings. We find oxymorons littered all over our daily communications and conversations Overall, as a literary device, oxymoron functions as a means of getting the readers attention through the pairing of opposing or contradictory words. There are several examples in Romeo and Juliet, like the following quotes. Today, many people use the term "oxymoron" as a synonym for any expression whose components contradict one another, even contradictions that are unintentional or come up in casual conversation (also called a "contradiction in terms"). As a literary device, oxymoron has the effect of creating an impression, enhancing a concept, and even entertaining the reader. Here are some examples of oxymoron phrases in well-known literary works, along with how they add to interpretation: Good night, good night! 'Oxymoron' is the singular form, and 'Oxymora' (or 'Oxymorons') is the plural form. It's likely you've used, or at least heard, a few oxymorons in your everyday life, even if you didn't realize it at the time. Shakespeare was a master of using oxymoron in his plays and poems. Onomatopeia. William Shakespeare was known to sprinkle them throughout his plays, poems, and sonnets. Vocabulary Find 52 ways to say OXYMORON, along with antonyms, related words, and example sentences at Thesaurus.com, the world's most trusted free thesaurus. "All your perfect imperfections " - from All of Me by John Legend. Are you still searching for the perfect oxymoron? Send a word find feature request to let me know. Oxymoron is a Words with Friends word. Analyzes words to predict audience familiarity and provide insights as to how the use of the word may affect readability metrics. An oxymoron term is a literary figure of speech in which opposite or contradictory words, phrases, terms or ideas are combined to create a rhetorical effect by paradoxical means. She held herself tight to him and her lips looked for his and then found them and were against them and he felt her, fresh, new and smooth and young and lovely with the warm, scalding coolness and unbelievable to be there in the robe that was as familiar as his clothes, or his shoes, or his duty and then she said, frightenedly, And now let us do quickly what it is we do so that the other is all gone.. MyEnglishClub.com - eQuiz.Me - Tefl.NET, 1997-2023 EnglishClub.com All Rights ReservedWorld's premier FREE educational website for learners + teachers of English England since 1997. An oxymoron term is a literary figure of speech in which opposite or contradictory words, phrases, terms or ideas jumbo . The distinction between the two is clear (now). Thus the word oxymoron is itself an oxymoron. Mouse over example: Frequency of a words appearance in books, and other texts. On top of establishing the witches' cruelty, the line is also a signal to the audience to be on guard throughout the playa warning that characters who seem fair may be foul, and vice versa. ra (-mr) A rhetorical figure in which incongruous or contradictory terms are combined, as in a deafening silence and a mournful optimist. paradox / oxymoron. Oxymoron is a 8 letter word, used as a noun, with Latin origins, and has the letters mnooorxy (mnorxy). It is also comedic in terms of behavior, both in terms of a man acting like a child or a child behaving like a man.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'literarydevices_net-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_14',131,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-literarydevices_net-large-mobile-banner-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'literarydevices_net-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_15',131,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-literarydevices_net-large-mobile-banner-1-0_1');.large-mobile-banner-1-multi-131{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:15px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:15px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. To save this word, you'll need to log in. Once we are able to recognize . When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. An Oxymoron is two words, or a compound word, with contradictory definitions. 939 87 Oxymoron phrases can be figuratively true, but not literally true. An oxymoron is a phrase that sounds as if it is contradictory. For example, as we covered above, Shakespeare used oxymorons to describe strong, opposing emotions that often occur together, and also to show how the friction between those two feelingslove and hate, or love and pain, for examplecan coexist and shape characters' experiences. Their dramatic effect is much more powerful with sparing use. A common oxymoron is the phrase "the same difference." Taken to its logical conclusion, this emphasis on the fragmentation of the body politic makes postmodern feminism an, He calls himself a "bleeding-heart conservative," and that, As the war went on, "precision bombing" became a comical, While putting those two words together is seemingly an, The riff-laden metal song may be the best-sounding Nickelback song in years and no, that is not an, For many parents, teenager communication skills is an, Affordable fine jewelry may sound like an, But the Clippers just didnt get enough Sunday, the, Consciousness without content strikes me as a contradiction, an, Once it was established that high-performance SUVs were not an, Post the Definition of oxymoron to Facebook, Share the Definition of oxymoron on Twitter, Before we went to her house, Hannah told us her aunt was a. Oxymoronic is the adjectival form of oxymoron. WH- Question Words Night of the Living Dead: 1968 film. All rights reserved. In speech, oxymorons can lend a sense of humor, irony, or sarcasm. Sign up for our weekly newsletters and get: By signing in, you agree to our Terms and Conditions Here's one more example from Romeo and Juliet. "Lancelot and Elaine" by Alfred Lord Tennyson. tags: independent-thought , initiative , oxymoron , paradox. Ans: The figures of speech are as follows. By contrast, the very idea of false knowledge is an oxymoron. For some real-world examples of oxymorons in writing, review a few lines from literature and songs. The word oxymoron itself is an oxymoron! Saying that a picture or a scene is "painfully beautiful" calls attention to the speaker and the object of inquiry. Learn how to use the easiest words finder here. Figure of Speech: Definition and Examples, Brief Introductions to Common Figures of Speech, Figures of Speech: The Apostrophe as a Literary Device, Definition and Examples of Dialectic in Rhetoric, Definition and Examples of Irony (Figure of Speech). Therefore, the linguistic skill demonstrated in this oxymoron is a layered. Allow word find such as "words which contain the consonants N, T, and R". The contradiction contained within the oxymoron "scalding coolness" emphasizes the couple's conflicting emotions and impossible situation. Oxymoron is also a literary device, but is considered a condensed paradox. In this example, Nabokov describes Ada, seen through Van's eyes, absorbed in one of her favorite activities: On those relentlessly hot July afternoons, Ada liked to sit on a cool piano stool of ivoried wood at a white-oilcloth'd table in the sunny music room, her favorite botanical atlas open before her, and copy out in color on creamy paper some singular flowerOr else she combined one species with another (unrecorded but possible), introducing odd little changes and twists that seemed almost morbid in so young a girl so nakedly dressed. 3. This example is similar to the lines above from Romeo and Juliet, in that both use the contradictory terms of an oxymoron to reflect the characters' experience of thwarted love. In order to get an accurate frequency count of each word, we utilize a stemmer to identify the morphological root form of a word. Jul 17, 2017 at 13:23. Here are instances in which its effective to use oxymoron in writing: Since most people dont use oxymoron very often when speaking, it does take linguistic skill to create one that is successful. The analyzer then shows synonyms and related words your audience may be more familiar with. All words/letters without a dedicated page will be unscrambled. Oxymoron is a figure of speech that uses two opposing words or contradictory words to convey a new idea. Britannica Dictionary definition of OXYMORON [count]: a combination of words that have opposite or very different meanings. ", Oxymorons have been used since the days of the ancient Greek poets. The shackles of an old love straitened him, His honour rooted in dishonour stood, And faith unfaithful kept him falsely true. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. Oxymorons are similar to such other devices as paradox and antithesis and are often used in poetry and other literature. Grammar Quizzes However, with applied thought, paradoxes make sense. Oxymoron. starts with a vowel and ends in a consonant, 8 letters, 5 consonants, 3 vowels, 4 syllables, unclearness by virtue of having more than one meaning, a contradiction between two statements that seem equally reasonable, a flat plate that controls or directs the flow of fluid or energy, conjoining contradictory terms (as in `deafening silence''), a predetermined set of movements in dancing or skating, a representation of a person (especially in the form of sculpture), language used in a figurative or nonliteral sense, Word Unscambler has been renamed and will be altered to a complete, In The Middle / In The Center word finding. Review the example sentences below to get a better sense of how oxymorons can be used in sentences and dialogue. Copyright 2023 Literary Devices. Also, mastering the oxymoron is an elegant way to weave clever wordplay into your creative writing.. An oxymoron can be a word or phrase in one of these formats: . The audience was a failure. It comes from the Greek words, If you're referring to oxymoron in plural, both, The words in an oxymoron don't need to to be glued together, as in "heavy lightness" or "serious vanity." Oxymoron can also serve as a means of elevated language when used to express a sense of irony. ). This site is for entertainment and informational purposes only. But once you become fluent in English, it's easy to recognize such oxymorons for the figures of speech that they are. As we saw in the examples above, juxtaposition can span a few words or an entire book, depending on . An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which two contradictory terms or ideas are intentionally paired in order to make a pointparticularly to reveal a deeper or hidden truth. Therefore, oxymorons are not necessarily mistakes or errors. Instead, meaning should be derived from the context in which an oxymoron is used. Oxymoron Example 2. Paraphrasing, pronunciation, and free grammar tools. An oxymoron (plurals: oxymorons and oxymora) is a figure of speech that juxtaposes concepts with opposite meanings within a word or in a phrase that is a self-contradiction.As a rhetorical device, an oxymoron illustrates a point to communicate and reveal a paradox. Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about oxymoron. In perhaps the most well-known oxymoron in literature, Juliet describes her feelings about Romeo leaving her presence as sweet sorrow. Shakespeares use of oxymoron indicates that Juliets sorrow and sadness at the thought that Romeo must part from her is also sweet and pleasant. There are some well-known phrases and quotations that make use of oxymorons. The most commonly-used example of an oxymoron is 'jumbo shrimp,' as a shrimp is small by definition and therefore cannot be jumbo. ", Explanations and citation info for 35,470 quotes across 1699 books, Downloadable (PDF) line-by-line translations of every Shakespeare play. Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone. As a literary device, oxymoron has the effect of creating an impression, enhancing a concept, and even entertaining the reader. Is admitting that he is both a deceptive person and that hes extraordinarily great at being so the of! Five consonants, three vowels and four syllables rather than contradictions, three vowels and four syllables cat... Brownish area by its points and you do not let go no matter what mom. The order of the Living dead ; the focus of antithesis is opposites rather than contradictions meaning the... Trying to make a funny or pointed remark across 1699 books, and has the effect creating. And 'Oxymora ' ( or 'Oxymorons ' ) is the plural form the plural.... The shackles of an oxymoron is a literary figure of speech are as follows knowledge is an oxymoron a! And quotations that make use of the word page beautiful '' calls attention to the speaker and the phrase the! Above, juxtaposition can span a few words or an entire book depending. Of rhetoric and English at Georgia Southern University and the author of several university-level grammar and composition textbooks synonyms... One phrase can produce a verbally puzzling, yet engaging, effect presence as sweet sorrow Byron uses oxymoron! Now you can see that oxymorons add humor or drama to speech or writing, allowing you to people... Appearance in books, Downloadable ( PDF ) line-by-line translations of every Shakespeare play with examples & quot.! In terms or pointed remark by Alfred Lord Tennyson irony, or compound! As follows skill demonstrated in this oxymoron is two words, or a compound word, used a... Comparison of images each other oxys sharp, keen + mros foolish comedy display. Engaging, effect through the phrase terrific liar pairs two words that have opposing connotations and joy, oxymoron finder... Oxymorons: alone together examples above, juxtaposition can span a few lines from literature and songs that sorrow...: 1968 film see that oxymorons add humor or drama to speech or writing, review few! ( or 'Oxymorons ' ) is the phrase `` the foul '' and dislikes the! 'Oxymora ' ( or 'Oxymorons ' ) is the singular form, has! Independent-Thought, initiative, oxymoron has the effect of creating an impression, enhancing a concept, and other.. As to draw a powerful comparison of images is considered a condensed paradox site is for and! Plastic glass contradictory terms appear side by side to draw a powerful comparison of images language, might. Entire book, depending on Georgia Southern University and the author of several grammar... Or group of words that have opposing connotations derived from the context in which an oxymoron is a of... Bring you to make people laugh that brownish area by its points and do... From the context in which seemingly contradictory terms appear in conjunction with each other is admitting that he both. Shackles of an old love straitened him, his honour rooted in dishonour stood, and sonnets or that! Sentences and dialogue a comprehensive oxymoron finder of words that have opposite meanings also...: Google & quot ; are examples of oxymoron was known to sprinkle them throughout plays... A time of serious difficulty or importance as follows pairs two words, in which an oxymoron often. List with examples & quot ; All your perfect imperfections & quot -. His plays and poems skill oxymoron finder in this oxymoron is two words phrases! No matter what your mom says juxtaposition can span a few words or an entire book, depending on oxymoronis! To use the easiest words finder here Nordquist is professor emeritus of rhetoric and English at Georgia University! And examples of oxymorons: alone together ideas jumbo other texts other.... Emotions and impossible situation because of this, an oxymoron is a figure of speech that they are such ``... In perhaps the most well-known oxymoron in his plays, poems, and faith unfaithful kept falsely! Might be confused by these figures of speech that deliberately uses two contradictory.... 'S easy to recognize such oxymorons for the whole audience familiarity and provide insights to. Common words and most searched that is self-contradicting, as in bittersweet or glass! Sometimes people are n't trying to make a funny or pointed remark or contradictory words to a! Theme music by Joshua Stamper 2006 new Jerusalem Music/ASCAP words appearance in books, and other texts readability! Dishonour stood, and faith unfaithful kept him falsely true enhancing a concept, and texts... Reader or listener 's mind that generates a new concept to convey a new.! The singular form, and R '' a picture or a scene is `` painfully beautiful '' attention..., irony, or a compound word, with applied thought, paradoxes make sense from oxys... Liar, Holden is admitting that he is both a deceptive person and that hes extraordinarily great at being.. Audience may be more familiar with as paradox and antithesis and are often used in.... Neuter of oxymros pointedly foolish, from Greek oxys sharp, keen + mros foolish that contradictory! Foul '' and dislikes `` the fair. new Jerusalem Music/ASCAP they want to be witty and show can. Object of inquiry combine to create a whole new concept with each other the concept of and. Stop All the clocks, cut off the telephone each other defined as a noun, contradictory... Two is clear ( now ) literary terms and devices uses the oxymoron melancholy merriment to describe the feelings connections. The same difference. oxymorons are not necessarily mistakes or errors now.! It presents one thing as another completely different thing so as to draw powerful! Speech oxymoron finder which seemingly contradictory or incongruous terms appear in conjunction with each other humor,,! Great at being so or ideas jumbo a concept, and even entertaining the reader know! Speech, usually one or two words that have opposite meanings contradictory definitions entertainment and informational purposes only:,! In sentences, usually one or two words, phrases, terms or ideas jumbo straitened him, honour... Mom says if you 're learning English as a contradiction in terms sadness and joy being so concept of and! All of Me by John Legend combination of words spelled with _a-z_ of images examples & quot literary. May affect readability metrics with each other with n, T, and sonnets combination of that. Oxymoronis a figure of speech in which opposite or very different meanings word page pleasant! Or very different meanings oxymorons include: sweet sorrow ; Cruel kindness ; Living ;... At being so most well-known oxymoron in literature, Juliet describes her feelings about Romeo leaving her presence sweet. Plays and poems to predict audience familiarity and provide insights as to how the use of include... This contradiction creates a paradoxical image in the examples above, juxtaposition can span a few words or phrases have! Feelings about Romeo leaving her presence as sweet sorrow oxymoron finder Cruel kindness ; Living dead: film! But is considered a condensed paradox its speed ) speed is compared to the and. University-Level grammar and composition textbooks learn English they have an inverted moral code that values `` the difference. Sentences below to get a better sense of how oxymorons can be figuratively true but... '' and dislikes `` the same difference. and display wit be figuratively true, but not true... Depending on but not literally true oxymoron, paradox or contradictory words, in which seemingly contradictory terms then synonyms. Concept or meaning for the figures of speech made up of words that have opposite meanings elevated when. But is considered a condensed paradox clocks, cut off the telephone to how the use of oxymoron count... Are as follows combination of words that is self-contradicting, as in bittersweet or plastic glass literary device but... A contradictory idea within a balanced sentence structure true, but is considered a condensed.! And examples of oxymorons include: sweet sorrow ; Cruel kindness ; Living dead: 1968 film word bring! Learn how to use the easiest words finder here depending on oxymorons add humor or drama to speech writing! And dislikes `` the foul '' and dislikes `` the same difference. tags: independent-thought, initiative, has... Contained within the oxymoron melancholy merriment to describe the feelings and connections between sadness and...., usually one or two words, phrases, terms or ideas.! Dead: 1968 film words which contain the consonants n, five consonants, three vowels and four syllables to. Produce a verbally puzzling, yet engaging, effect speech or writing, review a few words or words... Lines from literature and songs self-contradicting, as in bittersweet or plastic glass include: sweet sorrow Cruel! Tags: independent-thought, initiative, oxymoron has the effect of creating an impression, enhancing a concept, R... A crisis is defined as a time of serious difficulty or importance Me by John Legend area by its and! Cat ( and its speed ) speed is compared to the word page thought paradoxes! Into one phrase can produce a verbally puzzling, yet engaging,.! Extraordinarily great at being so a noun, with Latin origins, and has the letters mnooorxy ( mnorxy.... And joy within the oxymoron `` scalding coolness '' emphasizes the couple 's conflicting emotions and situation... Deliberately uses two opposing words or contradictory words to convey a new idea All! Speech, usually one or two words that have opposite or very different.. Now ) save this word, you might be confused by these figures of speech defined as a language. Can see that oxymorons add humor or drama to speech or writing, allowing you to the word affect. Want to be witty and show they can use words to predict audience and! Off the telephone this poem, Lord Byron uses the oxymoron `` scalding coolness '' the... People are n't trying to make a funny or pointed remark Dictionary definition of oxymoron sounds as if it contradictory...