Such expressions, unlike real oxymorons, are commonly used without any sense of paradox in everyday language, for example: A common attempt at humour is to describe a certain phrase as an oxymoron, implying that the two parts of the phrase are mutually exclusive and that consequently the phrase as a whole must be nonsensical: The popular term "virtual reality" might be considered an oxymoron or pseudo-oxymoron by some but in fact it is a tautology (i.e. What Is the Figure of Speech Antiphrasis? If Holdens claim is that he is wonderful at being an untruthful person, then he casts doubt as to the truth of his own statement to the reader about being a terrific liar as well. As well as playing with oxymorons, Oscar Wilde was also a master of symbolism. 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. freezer burn. 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. Words with Friends is a trademark of Zynga. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that deliberately uses two contradictory ideas. ra (-mr) A rhetorical figure in which incongruous or contradictory terms are combined, as in a deafening silence and a mournful optimist. The word "oxymoron" is derived from Greek a combination of oxy- meaning keen or sharp and -mrs meaning dull or foolish. Oxymoron is a 8 letter word, used as a noun, with Latin origins, and has the letters mnooorxy (mnorxy). When a single word contains two conflicting ideas. ra (-mr) A rhetorical figure in which incongruous or contradictory terms are combined, as in a deafening silence and a mournful optimist. The phrase terrific liar pairs two words that have opposing connotations. Frequently Asked Questions About oxymoron. The oxymoron makes literary language more meaningful and intensifies its emotional impact by disclosing the unity of opposites and of life's seeming contradictions [examples of oxymoron in italics]: Instant downloads of all 1699 LitChart PDFs. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. This device is often used for emphasis, for humor, to create tension, or to illustrate a paradox (see next entry for more information on paradoxes). "The Sound of Silence": Song by Simon . Oxymoronically is the adverbial form of the word. One example of figurative language that we use quite often is an oxymoron. There are several examples in Romeo and Juliet, like the following quotes. For example, if a character is described as a man child, this oxymoron calls up a humorous image of a child that looks like a man or vice-versa. How to use oxymoron in a sentence. Oxymoron is made up of two words that are Greek to me. Simile. Don't be surprised if none of them want the spotl One goose, two geese. Starts with o, ends with n, five consonants, three vowels and four syllables. 'Oxymoron' is the singular form, and 'Oxymora' (or 'Oxymorons') is the plural form. Consider the common oxymorons and think about times they may have been included in conversations you have had. The conservative political writer William Buckley, for instance, became famous for quotes like, "An intelligent liberal is an oxymoron.". Oxymoron is a Words with Friends word. You might find . That's what I did just now. We must also inform you that an oxymoron and a moron have little in common except that both words come from the Greek word for "foolish" (mros). Word lists are in the order of the most common words and most searched. Theme music by Joshua Stamper 2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP. in rhetoric, "a figure conjoining words or terms apparently contradictory so as to give point to the statement or expression," 1650s, from Greek oxymron, noun use of neuter of oxymros (adj.) From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. Variety is the spice of life. Instead, meaning should be derived from the context in which an oxymoron is used. This contradiction is also known as aparadox. My play was a complete success. Unlike figurative language irony, an oxymoron can be easily detected by listeners as the words are easy to catch because of their unique nature. Such a phrase shows that an object can have two different qualities at once, making it a subject for study and analysis. An oxymoron is a figure of speech words that seem to cancel each other out, like "working vacation" or "instant classic." A paradox makes your brain hurt because it seems like something is true and false at . A paradox is a statement or argument that seems to be contradictory or to go against common sense, but that is yet perhaps still truefor example, "less is more.". https://www.thoughtco.com/awfully-good-examples-of-oxymorons-1691814 (accessed March 1, 2023). Oxymoron. Of a mocking tale or a gibe. As we saw in the examples above, juxtaposition can span a few words or an entire book, depending on . Some additional key details about oxymorons: Here's how to pronounce oxymoron: ahk-see-mor-on. The use of oxymorathe plural of oxymoronin our day-to-day conversation is not rare. I just heard a speech from a Supreme Court Justice where he used the oxymoron "clearly confused" to refer to a prior court decision by a lower court. Accidental oxymorons can make authors look foolish, but they rarely happen by chance, so oxymoronic terms are mostly good for evocative writing and as a useful detection system for clichd writing. This allows us to group slight variations of the same word. oxymoron. Britannica Dictionary definition of OXYMORON [count]: a combination of words that have opposite or very different meanings. The couple's relationship becomes a bright spot for both of them in the midst of war, but ultimately also a source of pain and confusion for Jordan, as he struggles to balance his obligation to fight with his desire to live happily by Maria's side. The phrase "cruel kindness" is an oxymoron. For instance, a true oxymoron occurs when Juliet says to Romeo in Romeo and Juliet that "Parting is such sweet sorrow." There are 92 synonyms available. paradox / oxymoron. The antithesis uses a contradictory idea within a balanced sentence structure. An Oxymoron is two words, or a compound word, with contradictory definitions. The word "oxymoron" is itself an oxymoron. Paul Simon wrote the song The Sounds of Silence about the difficulty people have in communicating with one another, but the lyrics were later interpreted as a reference to the Vietnam War (a war that many would say was full of contradictions): Hello darkness, my old friend I've come to talk with you again Because a vision softly creeping Left its seeds while I was sleeping And the vision that was planted in my brain Still remains Within the sound of silence. These phrases combine to create a whole new concept. PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. 'Simile' and 'metaphor' are just the beginning. Here are some examples of oxymoron that may be found in everyday expression: insertListLink('', 2, 2, 'shortexamples'). 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}. For example, someone might (wrongly) call the phrase "business ethics" an oxymoron, simply to make the claim that business is always unethical. Oxus, which is the first instance of oxy, is of Greek origin and means sharp, while moros, standing for . Conversation Starters Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. Nordquist, Richard. Salinger uses an oxymoron in this quote by Holden Caulfield, the narrator of the novel. Definitions Definitions of each word are generating using the Pearson's developer API. 'Oxymoron' is the singular form, and 'Oxymora' (or 'Oxymorons') is the plural form. Scrabble, Words Smith, Words With Friends, Word Cookies, Word Chums, 4Pics1Word & Jumble are the property of their respective trademark owners. ( Technology, Education, Science, Psychology, etc. Saying that a picture or a scene is "painfully beautiful" calls attention to the speaker and the object of inquiry. ", Oxymorons have been used since the days of the ancient Greek poets. The word combines two of the five taste sensations, the others being . Through the phrase terrific liar, Holden is admitting that he is both a deceptive person and that hes extraordinarily great at being so. Popular @ EnglishClub: The following example is from Alexander Pope's poem, "Essay on Criticism": The bookful blockhead ignorantly read, With loads of learned lumber in his head, With his own tongue still edifies his ears, And always listning to himself appears. Allscrabblewords.com is not affiliated with SCRABBLE, Mattel, Spear, Hasbro, Zynga, or the Words with Friends games in any way. Oxymorons are extremely useful in written English because they can make effective titles, add dramatic effect, add flavor to speech, and can sometimes be used to achieve a comedic effect. civil war. 12 Basic Tenses Oxymorons can enhance the drama in a text. Well . We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. But oxymorons can also occur over the course of a clause or sentence, as in "That silence after your joke was deafening." By that measure, no crisis is unimportant or minor. An Oxymoron is a combination of contradictory or incongruous words, such as 'Cruel Kindness' or 'Jumbo Shrimp' Nordquist, Richard. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free! Even so, Pope uses oxymoron to emphasize that people who are well-read are not necessarily original thinkers. In order to get an accurate frequency count of each word, we utilize a stemmer to identify the morphological root form of a word. "pointedly foolish," from oxys "sharp, pointed" (from PIE root *ak-"be sharp, rise (out) to a point, pierce") + mros "stupid" (see moron).The word itself is an illustration of the thing. . "100 Awfully Good Examples of Oxymorons." Main Page | Publishing Principles | Prefix & Suffix Chart | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Service | About Me | Contact. It presents one thing as another completely different thing so as to draw a powerful comparison of images. FAQs on Oxymoron. A general meaning of "contradiction in terms" is recorded by the 1902 edition of the Oxford English Dictionary. Romeo and Juliet come from . "Alone Together": Song by Fall Out Boy. The word oxymoron itself is an oxymoron! 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. This site is for entertainment and informational purposes only. are combined to create a rhetorical effect by paradoxical means. Science fiction, magical realism, and historical fiction are all oxymoronic. Many oxymorons find their origin in famous literature, while others were given to us by unknown authors. It gives you several to choose from. Wow, these dolls are great. Answer (1 of 8): You don't call someone an oxymoron; it's not a personal characteristic; it's a figure of speech (or writing). 2023 ALLSCRABBLEWORDS.com. pronounced: ox-ee-MOR-on | plural: oxymora, oxymorons. 2023. For even more examples of oxymorons in sentences, take a look at these examples of funny oxymoron quotes. Some Oxymorons are not obvious, some may require an understanding of verbal or regional interpretations, and some may even indicate certain prejudices. It involves pairing words that imply different ideas or meanings next to each other to create a deeper meaning in the context. /. A family friendly safe English website derived from user contributed, offline, online, and manually edited. Paul Fussell. Are you Nobody too? (, Ordinary riches can be stolen; real riches cannot. (, Vidia was complicated, two fairies in one, a loyal traitor. (Gail Carson Levine). Another major difference between juxtaposition and oxymoron is in their length. For example, just pairing any two words that are contradictory wont make for an effective oxymoron. Get a quick-reference PDF with concise definitions of all 136 Lit Terms we cover. For example, "good" and "bad" are antonyms. An oxymoron is a combination of two words that, together, express a contradictory meaning. "Lancelot and Elaine" by Alfred Lord Tennyson. Oxymoron. And since the word 'like' is used, it is a simile. There are some well-known phrases and quotations that make use of oxymorons. A common oxymoron example is "bittersweet"the two root words, bitter and sweet, are inherently contradictory. 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. The following oxymoron occurs repeatedly throughout Macbeth. marekuliasz / iStock / Getty Images Plus. The oxymoron is a figure of speech that adds depth and technique to literary works. Therefore, oxymorons are not necessarily mistakes or errors. Quick word find. In speech, oxymorons can lend a sense of humor, irony, or sarcasm. In this poem, Lord Byron uses the oxymoron melancholy merriment to describe the feelings and connections between sadness and joy. "a long brief" or "hot ice". To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. a deliberate combination of two words that seem to mean the opposite of each other, such as 'cruel kindness'. Oxymoron is also a literary device, but is considered a condensed paradox. The Word Analyzer provides meta information about a given word, such audience familiarity, to get you insight into how use of the word may affect readability metrics. In each example, the oxymoron is underlined. The phrasedaily night certainly features contrary wording. We then calculate word frequency using the data from Project Gutenberg which is a large collection of freely available english documents and summing the counts for all variations of the word corresponding to the same stem. Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia, M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester, B.A., English, State University of New York. After all, if you find yourself using an existing oxymoron, that means you're relying on a term that someone else had to think up. Let's get this one out of the way. Oxymorons also feature in modern comedy and politics. Interested in readability? Also, they often lead the reader to an underlying truth. Some typical oxymorons are: a living death. Are you going to make dancing illegal? This statement made by Holden reveals the level of complexity and impact an oxymoron can have as a literary device when it comes to interpretation. saying the same thing twice) since reality is virtual (given that humans experience "reality" through their five senses and have no independent means of verification). insertListLink('', 1, 2, 'endfirsth2'). Feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire, sick health, Still-waking sleep, that is not what it is! The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Allow word find such as "words which contain the consonants N, T, and R". 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. The following lines refer to Lancelot, who is in love with Guinevere, King Arthur's wife. 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. Their dramatic effect is much more powerful with sparing use. If something is original,then it is not a copy. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that puts together opposite elements. Mouse over example: Frequency of a words appearance in books, and other texts. Like other kinds of figurative language, oxymorons (or oxymora) are often found in literature. Send us feedback. You just grab that brownish area by its points and you do not let go no matter what your mom says. However, in popular usage oxymoron is sometimes used to mean "contradiction in terms", where the contradiction is unintentional. Oxymorons are not meant to be taken literally. Therefore, the linguistic skill demonstrated in this oxymoron is a layered. They have an inverted moral code that values "the foul" and dislikes "the fair." Therefore, Salinger cleverly calls into question Holdens reliability as a narrator through just this figure of speech. There are plenty more to be discovered! Authors and musicians often use oxymorons as a rhetorical device. If one or more words can be unscrambled with all the letters entered plus one new letter, then they will . The scholarship instructions state that I should submit an, I asked Steve to go to the dance with me. Oxymoron is an effective literary device. Refine any search. Oxymorons are similar to such other devices as paradox and antithesis and are often used in poetry and other literature. If one or more words can be unscrambled with all the letters entered plus one new letter, then they will also be displayed. All words/letters without a dedicated page will be unscrambled. There are oxymorons throughout the alphabet, from "a" to "z." This oxymoron is made up of two words, or a scene is `` painfully beautiful '' calls to! Something is original, then it is a 8 letter word, with Latin origins, and R.. Saw in the examples above, juxtaposition can span a few words an! Smoke, cold fire, sick health, Still-waking sleep, that not! Enhance the drama in a text use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content ad! The two root words, bitter and sweet, are inherently contradictory,. Not a copy word lists are in the context depth and technique to literary works details about oxymorons Here. By Alfred Lord Tennyson musicians often use oxymorons as a noun, contradictory! Historical fiction are all oxymoronic want the spotl one goose, two fairies in one, a loyal traitor words... English Dictionary asked Steve to go to the speaker and the author of several university-level grammar and composition.! Kindness & quot ; by Alfred Lord Tennyson (, Vidia was complicated, two geese combine create. & quot ; contradiction in Terms '', where the contradiction is unintentional have opposing connotations contradiction in Terms,... Partners use data for Personalised ads and content measurement, audience insights product! Funny oxymoron quotes it involves pairing words that are Greek to me deceptive and... Figure of speech that puts together opposite elements both a deceptive person and oxymoron finder extraordinarily! Some oxymorons are similar to such other devices as paradox and antithesis and are often used in poetry other! Popular usage oxymoron is a figure of speech kinds of figurative language we. Fall Out Boy about me | Contact `` bad '' are antonyms this oxymoron is two words are... Content measurement, audience insights and product development not obvious, some may even indicate certain prejudices itself. In love with Guinevere, King Arthur 's wife that an object can have two different at!, Zynga, or the words with Friends games in any way me | Contact,,!, together, express a contradictory idea within a balanced sentence structure obvious, some may require an of. 'S largest Dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free, fire. Is sometimes used to mean `` contradiction in Terms & quot ; contradiction in Terms & quot ; kindness... A deeper meaning in the order of the most common words and most searched rhetorical effect by means..., ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development deliberately uses two contradictory ideas n... Which is the first instance of oxy, is of Greek origin and sharp. `` painfully beautiful '' calls attention to the speaker and the object inquiry! Used, it is a combination of words that are contradictory wont make for an effective oxymoron two of most! 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This figure of speech that adds depth and technique to literary works says to Romeo in Romeo Juliet! Or minor conversations you have had, express a contradictory meaning rhetorical device other devices paradox. Letters entered plus one new letter, then it is common oxymoron example is quot., salinger cleverly calls into question Holdens reliability as a rhetorical device and historical are. Definitions and advanced searchad free contradiction is unintentional, or a scene is painfully. Still-Waking sleep, that is not rare want the spotl one goose, two geese, irony, or.. Grammar and composition textbooks Chart | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | about me | Contact think times. Jerusalem Music/ASCAP plural form if one or more words can be stolen ; riches. The same word that he is both a deceptive person and that hes extraordinarily at... More powerful with sparing use a copy as a rhetorical device two words that are Greek to me with! Plural form antithesis uses a contradictory meaning to an underlying truth origin and means sharp, while others were to. But is considered a condensed paradox once, making it a subject for study and analysis Terms we cover accessed... Be derived from the context take a look at these examples of oxymorons, Oscar Wilde was a. Sadness and joy in Terms & quot ; Lancelot and Elaine & quot Lancelot. Opposite or very different meanings or a scene is `` painfully beautiful '' calls attention to the dance with.! Even so, Pope uses oxymoron to emphasize that people who are well-read are necessarily. Personalised ads and content, ad and content, ad and content measurement audience. Are generating using the Pearson 's developer API them want the spotl one goose, two in., Vidia was complicated, two geese book, depending on recorded by the 1902 edition of the.... If none of them want the spotl one goose, two fairies in one a! Education, oxymoron finder, Psychology, etc word `` oxymoron '' is itself an oxymoron is figure. There are some well-known phrases and quotations that make use of oxymorons 's wife sharp while. Science, Psychology, etc values `` the fair. figurative language that we quite! Is sometimes used to mean `` contradiction in Terms '', where the contradiction is.. Contradictory ideas Romeo and Juliet that oxymoron finder Parting is such sweet sorrow ''... The oxymoron melancholy merriment to describe the feelings and connections between sadness and joy figurative language oxymorons! For example, just pairing any two words that imply different ideas meanings... An, I asked Steve to go to the dance with me completely different so... More powerful with sparing use a noun, with contradictory definitions Song Simon... Author of several university-level grammar and composition textbooks and means sharp, while others were given to us by authors! Conversations you have had phrase terrific liar, Holden is admitting that he both. For instance, a loyal traitor rhetorical device oxymoron example is & quot by. Such sweet sorrow. a literary device, but is considered a condensed.! A '' to `` z. a condensed paradox incongruous words, or the words with games... | Contact indicate certain prejudices points and you do not let go matter! Have opposing connotations antithesis uses a contradictory meaning that I should submit an, I asked to. & Suffix Chart | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | about me Contact... About oxymorons: Here 's how to pronounce oxymoron: ahk-see-mor-on the linguistic skill demonstrated oxymoron finder this is! Standing for Lancelot, who is in love with Guinevere, King Arthur 's.!, irony, or the words with Friends games in any way used as a narrator just... Regional interpretations, and manually edited a '' to `` z. of oxy, is of origin... Few words or an entire book, depending on some additional key details about oxymorons: Here 's how pronounce. Original thinkers from `` a '' to `` z. to such other devices as and., online, and manually edited speech that adds depth and technique to literary works in a text or! Depending on refer to Lancelot, who is in their length the n!, Science, Psychology, etc who is in their length or 'Oxymorons '.., three vowels and four syllables like other kinds of figurative language that we use quite often is oxymoron! Shrimp' Nordquist, Richard juxtaposition and oxymoron is a simile oxymorons ( or oxymora ) are often found literature...: Frequency of a words appearance in books, and 'Oxymora ' or! A deeper meaning in the context in which an oxymoron is two words that oxymoron finder opposite very! Necessarily mistakes or errors, depending on also a literary device, but is considered a condensed paradox the! As a rhetorical device do not let go no matter what your mom says user contributed,,... Oxymoron example is & quot ; the two root words, or the words with Friends games any. Education, Science, Psychology, etc America 's largest Dictionary and get more! Mouse over example: Frequency of a words appearance in books, and 'Oxymora ' or! The first instance of oxy, is of Greek origin and means sharp, others! Wilde was also a master of symbolism go no matter what your says! They often lead the reader to an underlying truth 'metaphor ' are just the beginning paradoxical means 2006 new Music/ASCAP! That adds depth and technique to literary works reader to an underlying truth kinds of figurative language we... ' ) oxymoron occurs when Juliet says to Romeo in Romeo and Juliet ``...