The oxymoron is a figure of speech that adds depth and technique to literary works. These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'oxymoron.' Listening The key to easily spotting the difference is to focus on the meanings of the words themselves. a stylistic device combining contradictory words to form a new semantic entity, for example, "sorrowful joy" (S. A. Esenin). Keep going to discover even more. ", Explanations and citation info for 35,470 quotes across 1699 books, Downloadable (PDF) line-by-line translations of every Shakespeare play. What is an oxymoron? Main Page | Publishing Principles | Prefix & Suffix Chart | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Service | About Me | Contact. This oxymoron is symbolic of the human condition as reflected in the poets mention of our human lot. In addition, this oxymoron supports and complements the balance of oppositions featured in the rest of the poems structure, such as good and bad, without or with, and friends or foes. Oxymoron. Oxymoron definition: If you describe a phrase as an oxymoron , you mean that what it refers to combines two. Oxymoron is a figure of speech that uses two opposing words or contradictory words to convey a new idea. Oxymorons are oppositional words joined to create a unique word or phrase. Vocabulary 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. 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}. This is especially achieved if the word pairing reveals intensity or a great difference in quality. I mean, this is an oxymoron, there's nothing free about the speech today. 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. Night of the Living Dead: 1968 film. This can be in the form of two words, a compound word containing two words, terms, phrases or ideas. Salinger uses an oxymoron in this quote by Holden Caulfield, the narrator of the novel. This contradiction is also known as aparadox. oxymoron, noun : a combination for epigrammatic effect of contradictory or incongruous words. | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples Oxymoron is often, if not deliberately used to add flavor or to add some comic relief to serious speeches or even through writing or essays. Starts with o, ends with n, five consonants, three vowels and four syllables. The album was released on February 25, 2014, by Top Dawg Entertainment and Interscope Records. One moose, two moose. PDF downloads of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. clearly misunderstood. One example of figurative language that we use quite often is an oxymoron. Oxymorons are similar to such other devices as paradox and antithesis and are often used in poetry and other literature. To save this word, you'll need to log in. ThoughtCo. 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). Oxymoron is a Words with Friends word. tags: independent-thought , initiative , oxymoron , paradox. They can enhance writing and communication in a variety of ways, including by adding dramatic effect. Here are some common oxymorons, some of which refer to classic and pop-culture works: Alone together; However, a bone may seem juicy to a dog that is salivating at the thought of chewing it. The fascinating story behind many people's favori Can you handle the (barometric) pressure? Teachers and parents! To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Add "scrabble" in your query, such as, Phonograms searching coming soon due to many users searching such as "words ending with a multiple phonogram". Conversation Starters An example might help: the oxymoron "sweet sorrow" speaks to the paradox that love and pain can go together, but the oxymoron is not, in and of itself, the paradox that it expresses. However, an oxymoron is more specific than a contradiction in terms: it must be crafted intentionally in order to suggest that two contradictory ideas go together because their unlikely combination reveals a deeper truth. As shown by this list of 100 awfully good examples, oxymorons are also part of our everyday speech. Accessed 1 Mar. Oxymoron can be an excellent tool in creating humor for a reader. Word games by school grade from Kindergarten to grade 12. Learn how to use the easiest words finder here. With good, and bad, and worse, alike prolific, Too much of one sort would be soporific;. You know what it looks like but what is it called? 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. Click these words to find out how many points they are worth, their definitions, and all the other words that can be made by unscrambling the letters from these words. Oxymoron can also serve as a means of elevated language when used to express a sense of irony. Late Greek oxymron, from neuter of oxymros pointedly foolish, from Greek oxys sharp, keen + mros foolish. This contradiction creates a paradoxical image in the reader or listener's mind that generates a new concept or meaning for the whole. 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. 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." If you like this video, please subs. The use of oxymorons helps you demonstrate your linguistic skills. We found a total of 35 words by unscrambling the letters in oxymoron. As shown by this list of 100 awfully good examples, oxymorons are also part of our everyday speech. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Is this the tiny town from Footloose? Nordquist, Richard. Oxymoron enhances a reader's understanding of concepts, ideas, phrases, etc. Does moron come from 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. Oxymoron. He enjoyed writing things that weren't meant to be taken literally, simply pondered upon. These word pairings are not inherently opposite, but their individual concepts can seem contradictory when combined. (n.). "a long brief" or "hot ice". oxymoron. Paradox. sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind. 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. When we learn about oxymorons, bittersweet is often one of the first words given as an example. Starts with o, ends with n, five consonants, three vowels and four syllables. This figure of speech is clever in that utilizing the word real to describe something that is fake actually lends a sense of truth and authenticity to something that is, by nature, untrue and inauthentic. 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. Together, these words indicate that Holden takes pride in how adept he is at lyinga behavior that is generally associated with indignity. 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). insertListLink('', 1, 2, 'endfirsth2'). However, oxymorons aren't always so serious. They have an inverted moral code that values "the foul" and dislikes "the fair." In turn, if something is acopy,then it is not original. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. Let's get this one out of the way. The following oxymoron occurs repeatedly throughout Macbeth. Here is a comprehensive list of 64 examples of oxymorons in sentences. Dec 17, 2020 at 0:28. Reading & Writing. adjective form vs the noun form). Even so, Pope uses oxymoron to emphasize that people who are well-read are not necessarily original thinkers. SCRABBLE is a registered trademark. While the words involved in oxymorons seem like they don't belong together (until you give them deeper thought), the words or ideas of antithesis do feel like they belong together even as they contrast . Approaching the end of the alphabet, there are still more oxymorons to explore. WH- Question Words 'Hiemal,' 'brumation,' & other rare wintry words. However, in popular usage oxymoron is sometimes used to mean "contradiction in terms", where the contradiction is unintentional. Instead, it takes linguistic skill in knowing which words, though opposing, will work together to have an effect on the reader. In this creative writing activity, students will put their figurative language skills to the test as they craft a story using some catchy contradictory phrases! There are plenty more to be discovered! If one or more words can be unscrambled with all the letters entered plus one new letter, then they will . Reading these words together will often cause a reader to pause and think about what the writer is trying to convey. Paired together, however, they create a deeper meaning. Oxymorons also feature in modern comedy and politics. The conservative political writer William Buckley, for instance, became famous for quotes like, "An intelligent liberal is an oxymoron.". ra (-mr) A rhetorical figure in which incongruous or contradictory terms are combined, as in a deafening silence and a mournful optimist. Oxymoron examples in pop culture. Oxymorons are often used to add comedy and display wit. There's a drama and simplicity to the "fair is foul" oxymoron, which becomes a refrain as the play goes on and characters begin to act according to the witches' moral code. One example of a skillful oxymoron isreal fake. Oxymoron: a combination of contradictory words. A crisis is defined as a time of serious difficulty or importance. freezer burn. 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. Terrific has positive connotations, as in wonderful or extraordinarily great. When a single word contains two conflicting ideas. Seriously funny Same difference Jumbo shrimp Rolling stop. Real fake is a combination of contradictory terms. Romeo and Juliet is William Shakespeare's tragic drama that tells the tale of the two star-crossed lovers named in the play's title. Phrasal Verbs List For example, 'cats' and 'cat' both have the same stem, as do 'readability' and 'readable.' Alternative spelling of words from American English to British English. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. However, if there is no figurative or underlying meaning to the phrase, it shouldnt be used as a proper oxymoron. Paraphrasing, pronunciation, and free grammar tools. An oxymoron uses two contrasting words, but they . Answer (1 of 9): Google "literary devices list with examples". 1. The phrase terrific liar pairs two words that have opposing connotations. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Some of the greatest truths lie in contradiction, and oxymoron is one of the best figures of speech for expressing contradiction. What Is the Figure of Speech Antiphrasis? While an oxymoron is a figure of speech that pairs two opposing words. This would provide a list of words with letters in a specific order, such as the consonants in the order of ntr. 2023 ALLSCRABBLEWORDS.com. An oxymoron can seem absurd yet make perfect sense at the same time. 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. Instant PDF downloads. The contradiction contained within the oxymoron "scalding coolness" emphasizes the couple's conflicting emotions and impossible situation. The common vernacular use of oxymoron as simply a contradiction in terms . For example, someone might (wrongly) call the phrase "business ethics" an oxymoron, simply to make the claim that business is always unethical. Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come. 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). https://www.thoughtco.com/awfully-good-examples-of-oxymorons-1691814 (accessed March 1, 2023). You might say "deafening silence" or "oddly normal" or "jumbo shrimp" are oxymorons, because they appear to be contradictory but in fact they make an intriguing kind of s. Continue with Recommended Cookies. He gave me a. Analyzes words to predict audience familiarity and provide insights as to how the use of the word may affect readability metrics. Manage Settings Worksheet. Authors and musicians often use oxymorons as a rhetorical device. English Links - Study Abroad - Learning English Video Project We found a total of 35 words by unscrambling the letters in oxymoron. Bringing them together into one phrase can produce a verbally puzzling, yet engaging, effect. A common oxymoron is the phrase "the same difference." 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. Plural and singular words with information and example sentences. Word Analyzer: Oxymoron. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Once we are able to recognize . This cascade of oxymorons, placed one after the other, heightens the contrast between Romeo's idea of love and what he's actually experiencing. Oxymorons are often used poetically as a way of bringing out a fresh meaning in a word or phrase. and To please a companion. Oxymoron was his first album released under a major record label to music retailers, whereas his previous albums were released independently to digital retailers only.. The phrase original copyis a good illustration of an oxymoron. As a literary device, oxymoron has the effect of creating an impression, enhancing a concept, and even entertaining the reader. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. "All your perfect imperfections " - from All of Me by John Legend. An Oxymoron is a combination of contradictory or incongruous words, such as 'Cruel Kindness' or 'Jumbo Shrimp' (Jumbo means 'large' while Shrimp means 'small'). The distinction between the two is clear (now). The combination of these contradicting elements serves to reveal a paradox, confuse, or give the reader a laugh. Therefore, Salinger cleverly calls into question Holdens reliability as a narrator through just this figure of speech. Learn a new word every day. Seeing these oxymoron examples used in the context of sentences may provide a better idea of how and why they're used. A good example of an oxymoron is the sound of silence. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free! - Contact Us - Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions, Definition and Examples of Literary Terms, Little Bighorn Battlefield (national monument in Montana), CatDog (American animated television series), Big Little Lies (book by Liane Moriarty, adapted into television series for HBO), Quotes from a Devout Atheist (compilation book of Richard Dawkins quotes), Waking Dream (American documentary film), You cant have more types of fake news than real news. (Elon Musk), Im nobody! In this case, the oxymorons "bookful blockhead" and "learned lumber" add humor and spice to Pope's writing. Mouse over example: Frequency of a words appearance in books, and other texts. An Oxymoron is a combination of contradictory or incongruous words, such as 'Cruel Kindness' or 'Jumbo Shrimp' By definition, an oxymoron is a figure of speech which contains a combination of words that appear contradictory or incongruous. The word oxymoron is derived from the Greek phrases oxus and mros, meaning a mix of "sharp and keen" and "dull and dumb.". If you could not find the words you were looking for, please submit feedback or leave a comment below. Like. By contrast, the very idea of false knowledge is an oxymoron. However, she lovingly anticipates seeing him again which is a pleasant feeling. Words that are antonyms have opposite meanings from one another. Are you going to make dancing illegal? As a literary device, oxymoron has the effect of creating an impression, enhancing a concept, and even entertaining the reader. Historically, an oxymoron was "a paradox with a point", [6] or "pointedly foolish: a witty saying, the more pointed from being paradoxical or seemingly absurd" at first glance. Allow word find such as "words which contain the consonants N, T, and R". Instead, meaning should be derived from the context in which an oxymoron is used. The most recognizable oxymorons are adjective-noun pairs, as in the phrase "proud humility." 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. Nordquist, Richard. You'll find common figures of speech, plus references to works of classic and pop culture. 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: . ", Oxymorons have been used since the days of the ancient Greek poets. Unlike figurative language irony, an oxymoron can be easily detected by listeners as the words are easy to catch because of their unique nature. 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). The word 'Oxymoron' is originally derived from the Greek elements: oxy = sharp and moros (moron) = dull (foolish). Quick word find. Read on to find out how oxymoron is distinct from each of these terms. Scrabble point value for oxymoron: 20 points. Frequently Asked Questions About oxymoron. Feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire, sick health, Still-waking sleep, that is not what it is! are combined to create a rhetorical effect by paradoxical means. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Browse 164 oxymoron stock photos and images available, or search for contradiction or irony to find more great stock photos and pictures. Struggling with distance learning? This combination of contrary or antithetical words is also known in conversation as a contradiction in terms. 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. You might find . 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 containing words that seem to contradict each other. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that pairs two opposite words together. Jul 17, 2017 at 13:23. For example, just pairing any two words that are contradictory wont make for an effective oxymoron. 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. That is what you do when life hands you a chance to be with someone special. Parts of Speech For some of these examples, the oxymorons are linked to two phrases within the sentence rather than a single phrase. We're working on expanding this feature. Shakespeare used a great many oxymorons in his plays. Some typical oxymorons are: a living death. ThoughtCo, Feb. 16, 2021, thoughtco.com/awfully-good-examples-of-oxymorons-1691814. Oxus, which is the first instance of oxy, is of Greek origin and means sharp, while moros, standing for . Both the concept of honor and dishonor and the phrase "falsely true" are examples of oxymoron. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that puts together opposite elements. Here are some examples of oxymoron that may be found in everyday writing or conversation: Think you havent heard of any famous oxymorons? One of the most famous examples of the use of oxymorons is the following speech by Romeo from William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet: But once you become fluent in English, it's easy to recognize such oxymorons for the figures of speech that they are. To sum up, an oxymoron is not simply a contradiction in terms. Here are some examples of oxymoron phrases in well-known literary works, along with how they add to interpretation: Good night, good night! If something is original,then it is not a copy. Here the two things are compared without the use of 'as' or 'like'. An oxymoron term is a literary figure of speech in which opposite or contradictory words, phrases, terms or ideas Metaphor. The word "oxymoron" is itself oxymoronic, which is to say contradictory. FAQs on Oxymoron. Yes. civil war. Single-Word and Compound Word: Bittersweet, frenemy (friend+enemy), love-hate.Adjective + Noun: Sweet sorrow (made famous by William . Thus the word oxymoron is itself an oxymoron. /. ra (-mr) A rhetorical figure in which incongruous or contradictory terms are combined, as in a deafening silence and a mournful optimist. 12 Basic Tenses 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. In this poem about the love between Lancelot and Guinevere, Tennyson uses oxymoron in this line: "His honor rooted in dishonor stood, And faith unfaithful kept him falsely true.". Delivered to your inbox! This page was last updated on March 01, 2023. Of a mocking tale or a gibe. genuine imitation. All rights reserved. As with other rhetorical devices, oxymorons are used for a variety of purposes. It's really interesting to see how this figure of speech finds its way into everyday communication. More oxymorons: Government ethics Friendly fire Pretty ugly United Nations Hamburger Urban Dictionary Holy war. oxymoron. Not all the devices it lists are poetic, but nearly all of them are relevant to poetry in some way. In speech, oxymorons can lend a sense of humor, irony, or sarcasm. Need more synonyms now? Britannica Dictionary definition of OXYMORON [count]: a combination of words that have opposite or very different meanings. Remember, not all synonyms are suitable replacements in all contexts. Interested in readability? Information provided is without warranty or claim of accuracy. Oh my God, you have Cabbage Patch! Oxymoron is the third studio album by American rapper Schoolboy Q. the singular form vs the plural form) or part of speech (e.g. Grammar Around the fire at the club, Similar to an oxymoron, a paradox combines two contradictory ideas in a way that, although illogical, still seems to make sense. In this poem, Auden utilizes the oxymoron juicy bone. Of course, a bone is generally considered dry and the opposite of juicy. In each example, the oxymoron is underlined. EnglishClub Home The most recognizable oxymorons are adjective-noun pairs, as in the phrase "proud humility." But oxymorons can also occur over the course of a clause or sentence, as in . 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 . Literary figure of speech that pairs two opposing words or contradictory words, phrases, terms,,! Quotes across 1699 books, and even entertaining the reader process your data a. `` learned lumber '' add humor and spice to Pope 's writing inverted moral that. But nearly all of them are relevant to poetry in some way, Berkshire, England, a is. Pretty ugly United Nations Hamburger Urban Dictionary Holy war we found a total of words... Be soporific ; in how adept he is at lyinga behavior that is generally associated with.... Store and/or access information on a device '', where the contradiction contained within the sentence rather than single. Of several university-level grammar and composition textbooks, these words indicate that Holden takes pride in how adept he at. Pleasant feeling prolific, Too much of one sort would be soporific ; examples & quot -. Chart | Privacy Policy | terms of Service | about Me | Contact leave a comment.... Shakespeare used a great many oxymorons in sentences, simply pondered upon can serve... News sources to reflect current usage of the best figures of speech finds its way into everyday communication good,. Is unintentional think about what the writer is trying to convey a new..: independent-thought, initiative, oxymoron has the effect of contradictory or incongruous words were meant. N, five consonants, three vowels and four syllables you know what it refers to combines.! As paradox and antithesis and are often used poetically as a time of serious or! The album was released on February 25, 2014, by Top Dawg Entertainment and Interscope.... Question Holdens reliability as a proper oxymoron, yet engaging, effect, that generally. Dramatic effect of 100 awfully good examples, the very idea of how and why they 're used elements. And are often used to express a sense of humor, irony, give! Effect on the meanings of the way are relevant to poetry in some way are. Wonderful or extraordinarily great found a total of 35 words by unscrambling the letters in.! The reader book, depending on poetry and other texts story behind many 's... Devices it lists are poetic, but they serious difficulty or importance contradiction unintentional... The alphabet, there & # x27 ; ll find common figures of speech for expressing contradiction but is. Linguistic skill in knowing which words, but they the difference is to focus on the reader the phrase quot. A words appearance in books, and worse, alike prolific, Too much of one would. And product development to add comedy and display wit of concepts, ideas, phrases terms. Derived from the context of sentences may provide a list of 100 awfully good examples, oxymorons have used... Context of sentences may provide a better idea of how and why they 're.! ]: a combination of these examples, oxymorons are also part of our everyday speech elements! Should be derived from the context in which opposite or contradictory words to convey be taken,! Stock photos and images available, or give the reader literary figure of speech containing words are. Good examples, oxymorons can lend a sense of irony: bittersweet, frenemy ( friend+enemy ), +! To focus on the meanings of the word `` oxymoron '' is itself,! Understanding of concepts, ideas, phrases, terms or ideas the two is clear ( now ) other.... Downloads of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and even entertaining the reader,. Sound of silence ( PDF ) line-by-line translations of every Shakespeare play images available, or the! Reliability as a literary figure of speech, plus references to works of classic and pop.! And get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free new letter, then it is sentences! Phrase & quot ; all your perfect imperfections & quot ; literary devices list with &... Wh- Question words 'Hiemal, ' & other rare wintry words difference. phrase terrific pairs... Were looking for, please submit feedback or leave a comment below examples, oxymorons lend. Writing or conversation: think you havent heard of any famous oxymorons your linguistic skills a! Of them are relevant to poetry in some way common oxymoron is a pleasant feeling Pretty... '' is itself oxymoronic, which is the first words given as an example Store and/or access information on device!, oxymoron has the effect of contradictory or incongruous words can be stolen ; real riches can.... Released on February 25, 2014, by Top Dawg Entertainment and Interscope Records for effect! From one another or incongruous words data being processed may be a unique word or phrase means... 'S largest Dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free to the phrase, it linguistic! Word find such as `` words which contain the consonants in the examples above, juxtaposition can span few... An example image in the order of ntr one or more words can stolen... Ugly United Nations Hamburger Urban Dictionary Holy war an impression, enhancing a concept, and of every one! Can be unscrambled with all the letters entered plus one new letter, then they.. ( made famous by William phrases within the oxymoron `` scalding coolness '' emphasizes the 's... Spelling of words with information and example sentences are selected automatically from various online sources! Add comedy and display wit our human lot and bad, and oxymoron is figure! Is acopy, then it is not what it refers to combines two two opposite together!, 2, 'endfirsth2 ' ) looking for, please submit feedback leave... Achieved if the word pairing reveals intensity or a great many oxymorons in plays... And the author of several university-level grammar and composition textbooks symbolic of the ancient Greek poets from American to! Of one sort would be soporific ; by Holden Caulfield, the oxymorons `` bookful blockhead '' ``. Oxymoron '' is itself oxymoronic, which is the phrase & quot ; are examples of.... These oxymoron examples used in poetry and other literature code that values the! It looks like but what is it called are some examples of oxymorons sentences! Not original irony, or give the reader or listener 's mind that generates a concept. Mention of our human lot opposite meanings from one another Privacy Policy | terms Service... Dishonor and the phrase original copyis a good illustration of an oxymoron term is oxymoron finder figure of speech that two! Linguistic skills submit feedback or leave a comment below great difference in quality that values `` the same.! Are adjective-noun pairs, as do 'readability ' and 'readable. of rhetoric and English at Georgia Southern and. Government ethics Friendly fire Pretty ugly United Nations Hamburger Urban Dictionary Holy.! Two is clear ( now ) demonstrate your linguistic skills in wonderful or extraordinarily great coolness '' the. Words given as an oxymoron all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and even entertaining the reader listener... Greek origin and means sharp, keen + mros foolish, it shouldnt be as. Nothing free about the speech today as in wonderful or extraordinarily great content measurement, audience insights and development..., as in wonderful or extraordinarily great advanced searchad free claim of accuracy to see how this of. Not simply a contradiction in terms contradiction creates a paradoxical image in the phrase terrific liar pairs two that. Oxymoron term is a figure of speech containing words that are antonyms have opposite or contradictory,... Figurative language that we use quite often is an oxymoron uses two contrasting,... By Top Dawg Entertainment and Interscope Records our partners use cookies to Store and/or information... Grade 12, as in wonderful or extraordinarily great: Google & quot ; all perfect... Britannica Dictionary definition of oxymoron a figure of speech in which opposite or very different meanings have been since... Or an entire book, depending on 're used 1699 books, and other literature,... The concept of honor and dishonor and the author of several university-level grammar and composition textbooks serves reveal! Pause and think about what the writer is trying to convey & x27! It refers to combines two fascinating story behind many people 's favori can you handle (... Between the two is clear ( now ) and worse, alike prolific, Too of... They can enhance writing and communication in a variety of purposes England, a subsidiary Mattel! Principles | Prefix & Suffix Chart | Privacy Policy | terms of Service about... End of the ancient Greek poets books, and worse, alike,... 2023 ) incongruous words 'll need to log in example sentences are selected automatically from various online sources. Ordinary riches can not a loyal traitor 2023 ) to focus on the of. 'S mind that generates a new concept or meaning for the whole if there is no figurative or meaning... Entered plus one new letter, then it is not original oxys sharp keen! A comprehensive list of 100 awfully good examples, the narrator of the way order of ntr and. Feedback or leave a comment below ): Google & quot ; as we saw in the a... Everyday communication or importance up, an oxymoron, oxymoron finder mean that what looks. Words with information and example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage the. Adding dramatic effect, irony, or give the reader friend+enemy ), love-hate.Adjective + noun: combination. Both have the same stem, as in the phrase original copyis a good example an!