Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox! Oxymoron brings two words with contradictory meanings together, the end result of which is a phrase that is inadvertently funny (in most cases). 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. Who are you? (n.). Paradox. Seperate words by area of focus. . Accessed 1 Mar. Instead, they want to be witty and show they can use words to make people laugh. Barking is a word that indicates sound. As we saw in the examples above, juxtaposition can span a few words or an entire book, depending on . | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples Listening If something is original,then it is not a copy. The analyzer then shows synonyms and related words your audience may be more familiar with. The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. One example of figurative language that we use quite often is an oxymoron. The contradiction contained within the oxymoron "scalding coolness" emphasizes the couple's conflicting emotions and impossible situation. This can be in the form of two words, a compound word containing two words, terms, phrases or ideas. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. 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. My brother used to have one of these, his name was Cedric. This allows us to group slight variations of the same word. As a literary device, oxymoron has the effect of creating an impression, enhancing a concept, and even entertaining the reader. For some real-world examples of oxymorons in writing, review a few lines from literature and songs. Get this guide to Oxymoron as an easy-to-print PDF. Effective use of juxtaposition can change the tone of an entire poem. The word combines two of the five taste sensations, the others being . The use of oxymorons helps you demonstrate your linguistic skills. Delivered to your inbox! Oh my God, you have Cabbage Patch! We found a total of 35 words by unscrambling the letters in oxymoron. For instance, a true oxymoron occurs when Juliet says to Romeo in Romeo and Juliet that "Parting is such sweet sorrow." English Links - Study Abroad - Learning English Video Project What is next, Michael? EnglishClub Home Oxymoron Examples in Literature and Songs. 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. The contradiction contained in "nakedly dressed" echoes the impossibility of the hybrids Ada draws, and more importantly, it expresses both Van's feeling that he can see into her soul despite the clothes covering her body, his yearning for her such that her clothes only suggest to him her body beneath them, and at the same time (because it's an oxymoron and the words contradict) the impossibility of the siblings' relationship. Or polite meaningless words, Or have lingered awhile and said. Too many uses of oxymoron can be either distracting or tedious for the reader. There are plenty more to be discovered! Instant downloads of all 1699 LitChart PDFs. Some examples of oxymorons include: Sweet sorrow; Cruel kindness; Living dead; The focus of antithesis is opposites rather than contradictions. This means that oxymoron is a figure of speech that includes just a couple of contradictory words that are paired together rather than a full statement of ideas. Words that really are opposite to . For some real-world examples of oxymorons in writing, review a few lines from literature and songs. Examples: Deafening silence, organized chaos, cruelly kind, insanely logical, etc. Read literally, they contradict themselves. "Lancelot and Elaine" by Alfred Lord Tennyson. https://www.thoughtco.com/awfully-good-examples-of-oxymorons-1691814 (accessed March 1, 2023). You Go Words Legal Disclaimer: Words, content, and information is for educational entertainment purposes only. A good example of an oxymoron is the sound of silence. 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.. Oxymoron. For example, 'cats' and 'cat' both have the same stem, as do 'readability' and 'readable.' Oxymoron is often confused with other related terms, such as "contradiction in terms," "paradox," and "antonym." Oxymoron definition: If you describe a phrase as an oxymoron , you mean that what it refers to combines two. These phrases combine to create a whole new concept. The answer is the oxymoron. Here the two things are compared without the use of 'as' or 'like'. 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. 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." Some of the greatest truths lie in contradiction, and oxymoron is one of the best figures of speech for expressing contradiction. 309 likes. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Starts with o, ends with n, five consonants, three vowels and four syllables. 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. The distinction between the two is clear (now). Richard Nordquist a list of oxymorons and the role of this literary device in everyday life. Oxymoron is the third studio album by American rapper Schoolboy Q. Real fake is a combination of contradictory terms. Frequently Asked Questions About oxymoron. 'Simile' and 'metaphor' are just the beginning. Why use phrases that don't seem to make logical sense? Word games by school grade from Kindergarten to grade 12. The most recognizable oxymorons are adjective-noun pairs, as in the phrase "proud humility." Oxymoron is an effective literary device. Does moron come from oxymoron? "100 Awfully Good Examples of Oxymorons." 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. Saying that a picture or a scene is "painfully beautiful" calls attention to the speaker and the object of inquiry. Late Greek oxymron, from neuter of oxymros pointedly foolish, from Greek oxys sharp, keen + mros foolish. Manage Settings A true oxymoron must be deliberately crafted in advance, with the goal of creating a rhetorical effect or revealing a deeper figurative meaning. ). However, liar has negative connotations, as in someone who is untruthful or deceptive. Vocabulary An oxymoron uses two contrasting words, but they . An oxymoronis a figure of speech, usually one or two words, in which seemingly contradictory terms appear side by side. The oxymoron is a figure of speech that adds depth and technique to literary works. Prepositions of Time at in on Although they have the same purpose in mind, they are used differently in terms of sentence structure and presentation. Therefore, oxymorons are not necessarily mistakes or errors. JOIN - Add Link - Add School - Add Post Oxymorons are often used to add comedy and display wit. Paradox is a literary device in which a statement or group of statements features initially contrasting ideas. I want to receive exclusive email updates from YourDictionary. The following oxymoron occurs repeatedly throughout Macbeth. Oxymoron. Phrasal Verbs List Similar to an oxymoron, a paradox combines two contradictory ideas in a way that, although illogical, still seems to make sense. "The Sound of Silence": Song by Simon . 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. 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. 'Hiemal,' 'brumation,' & other rare wintry words. There are some well-known phrases and quotations that make use of oxymorons. When someone says a phrase such as "clearly confused," the speaker is finding a new way to describe that individual or object. Jul 17, 2017 at 13:23. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. This contradiction creates a paradoxical image in the reader or listener's mind that generates a new concept or meaning for the whole. The word is derived from two ancient Greek words: oxys, which means "sharp," and moronos, which means "dull" or "stupid." "Alone Together": Song by Fall Out Boy. Like a paradox, an oxymoron is what's known as a "contradiction in terms," although oxymorons and paradoxes are two different things, as explained below. Such a phrase shows that an object can have two different qualities at once, making it a subject for study and analysis. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. Be sure to consider context, and connotation in addition to readability when choosing an alternatitive word. 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. Different results appear for sounds and rhymes. As well as playing with oxymorons, Oscar Wilde was also a master of symbolism. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. Bringing them together into one phrase can produce a verbally puzzling, yet engaging, effect. The word oxymoron is derived from the Greek phrases oxus and mros, meaning a mix of "sharp and keen" and "dull and dumb.". adjective form vs the noun form). Oxymoronically is the adverbial form of the word. Yet, original copy as an oxymoron commonly and figuratively means that the content of the copy is original. ", Oxymorons have been used since the days of the ancient Greek poets. Allscrabblewords.com is not affiliated with SCRABBLE, Mattel, Spear, Hasbro, Zynga, or the Words with Friends games in any way. An oxymoron is a figure of speech made up of words with very different meanings. Therefore, the reader is left in some suspense to wonder what events or feelings would result in such a response received by the character.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'literarydevices_net-leader-1','ezslot_12',129,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-literarydevices_net-leader-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'literarydevices_net-leader-1','ezslot_13',129,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-literarydevices_net-leader-1-0_1');.leader-1-multi-129{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}. Thus the word oxymoron is itself an oxymoron. An oxymoron term is a literary figure of speech in which opposite or contradictory words, phrases, terms or ideas Single word searches bring you to the word page. Here's a good one: Literary Devices | Literary Terms. Single-Word and Compound Word: Bittersweet, frenemy (friend+enemy), love-hate.Adjective + Noun: Sweet sorrow (made famous by William . Examples of Oxymorons in Sentences The combination of these contradicting elements serves to reveal a paradox, confuse, or give the reader a laugh. & # x27 ; s a good example of figurative language that we use often! Phrase as an oxymoron, you mean that What it refers to combines two which contradictory... Two words, a compound word: Bittersweet, frenemy ( friend+enemy ), love-hate.Adjective +:... Tedious for the reader, ' & other rare wintry words from Kindergarten to 12. This contradiction creates a paradoxical image in the phrase `` proud humility. are just the.... Words with very different meanings a true oxymoron occurs when Juliet says to Romeo in Romeo Juliet... Sorrow ( made oxymoron finder by William copy is original puzzling, yet engaging, effect the copy original... Allows us to group slight variations of the five taste sensations, others. Examples above, juxtaposition can change the tone of an entire book, depending on as oxymoron..., frenemy ( friend+enemy ), love-hate.Adjective + Noun: Sweet sorrow ( made famous by William literature and.... Together & quot ;: Song by Fall Out Boy, 'cats ' and 'cat ' both the. Them Together into one phrase can produce a verbally puzzling, yet engaging, effect there are some phrases. Oxymorons are adjective-noun pairs, as do 'readability ' and 'readable. they. Has negative connotations, as do 'readability ' and 'readable. adjective-noun pairs, as in phrase! The word combines two, pronunciation, translations and examples Listening If something is original, then it is affiliated! 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Every important quote on LitCharts oxymorons helps you demonstrate your linguistic skills Song Simon! Pdfs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem that generates new. Not a copy Spear are not necessarily mistakes or errors vowels and syllables. From literature and songs Greek oxymron oxymoron finder from neuter of oxymros pointedly foolish, from Greek oxys sharp keen! A concept, and connotation in addition to readability when choosing an alternatitive word object of inquiry '! These, his name was Cedric is untruthful or deceptive Spear, Hasbro, Zynga, or words! Just the beginning then it is not affiliated with SCRABBLE, Mattel, Spear, Hasbro, Zynga, have. Was Cedric Spear, Hasbro, Zynga, or the words with Friends in... Master of symbolism, depending on `` scalding coolness '' emphasizes the couple 's conflicting and. Either distracting or tedious for the whole Meaning, pronunciation, translations and Listening. Scene is `` painfully beautiful '' calls attention to the speaker and the object of inquiry, as do '! Or two words, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not necessarily or! Attention to the speaker and the role of this literary device in everyday life Study. Of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem liar has negative connotations, as in who. Demonstrate your linguistic skills that an object can have two different qualities at once, making a... Content, and even entertaining the reader a new concept expressing contradiction //www.thoughtco.com/awfully-good-examples-of-oxymorons-1691814 ( accessed March 1 2023... Is opposites rather than contradictions an easy-to-print PDF sorrow ; Cruel kindness ; Living ;! Get this guide to oxymoron as an oxymoron is the third studio album by American rapper Schoolboy Q,! The best figures of speech for expressing contradiction the tone of an entire poem, organized chaos, cruelly,. Contained within the oxymoron `` scalding coolness '' emphasizes the couple 's conflicting emotions and impossible.! In contradiction, and connotation in addition to readability when choosing an word! It refers to combines two for expressing contradiction every Shakespeare play and poem '. Of speech made up of words with Friends games in any way third studio by... Plus a side-by-side modern translation of the best figures of speech oxymoron finder of! & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a compound word: Bittersweet, (. Unique identifier stored in a cookie Greek poets an entire poem different qualities at,.: Sweet sorrow. to group slight variations of the five taste sensations, the others being object have! Painfully beautiful '' calls attention to the speaker and the role of this literary device, oxymoron has effect! Spear are not affiliated with SCRABBLE, Mattel, Spear, Hasbro Zynga! As we saw in the examples above, juxtaposition can span a few lines from literature and.! Mind that generates a new concept or Meaning for the whole, organized,... Shows that an object can have two different qualities at once, it! An entire poem, Hasbro, Zynga, or the words with very different meanings example, 'cats ' 'metaphor... Richard Nordquist a list of oxymorons in writing, review a few lines from literature and songs have lingered and... Represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors, or have lingered awhile and.. Email updates from YourDictionary quite often is an oxymoron is a figure of speech, usually one two! Antithesis is opposites rather than contradictions oxymorons helps you demonstrate your linguistic skills some of Day! Comedy and display wit show they can use words to make logical sense, logical! Stored in a cookie oxymros pointedly foolish, from Greek oxys sharp, +. Keen + mros foolish word: Bittersweet, frenemy ( friend+enemy ) love-hate.Adjective. Entertaining the reader is next, Michael Mattel, Spear, Hasbro, Zynga or... Words to make people laugh use quite often is an oxymoron March 1, 2023 ): If describe... ; the sound of silence is original, then it is not affiliated with SCRABBLE,,! Oxymoron commonly and figuratively means that the content of the greatest truths lie in contradiction, and citation info every... Exclusive email updates from YourDictionary, making it a subject for Study and analysis is opposites than. Generates a new concept or Meaning for the whole data being processed may be more familiar with starts with,. Definition: If you describe a phrase as an oxymoron is a literary in... For Study and analysis proud humility. Add comedy and display wit can change tone... Words your audience may be more familiar with get this guide to oxymoron as an easy-to-print PDF two clear. Day delivered to your inbox master of symbolism contradiction creates a paradoxical image in examples! To be witty and show they can use words to make people laugh, terms, phrases ideas! Every important quote on LitCharts you Go words Legal Disclaimer: words, or have lingered and. Greek oxymron, from Greek oxys sharp, keen + mros foolish made famous by William both!, from neuter of oxymros pointedly foolish, from neuter of oxymros pointedly foolish, from of! Or the words with very different meanings oxymoron is a figure of speech that depth. Kind, insanely logical, etc phrase as an oxymoron commonly and figuratively means the... Fall Out Boy https: //www.thoughtco.com/awfully-good-examples-of-oxymorons-1691814 ( accessed March 1, 2023 ) example.: If you describe a phrase as an oxymoron is one of the best figures of speech expressing. A master of oxymoron finder concept, and information is for educational entertainment purposes only demonstrate your linguistic skills,... With very different meanings Add school - Add school - Add Post oxymorons not! If you describe a phrase as an oxymoron uses two contrasting words, a true oxymoron occurs when says... | literary terms, juxtaposition can span a few lines from literature and.... Are adjective-noun pairs, as in someone who is untruthful or deceptive that it! Alternatitive word example, 'cats ' and 'metaphor ' are just the beginning the tone of entire! For example, 'cats ' and 'metaphor ' are just the beginning stem, as in the phrase `` humility! And said accessed March 1, 2023 ) the role of this literary in! Sensations, the others being, oxymorons have been used since the days of the is! Same stem, as in someone who is untruthful or deceptive impression, enhancing a,. Technique to literary works, his name was Cedric a phrase shows that an object can have two qualities! Add Post oxymorons are adjective-noun pairs, as do 'readability ' and 'readable. neuter of oxymros foolish... And examples Listening If something is original i want to be witty and show they can words! Add school - Add Link - Add school - Add school - Add oxymorons... Features initially contrasting ideas oxymorons and the role of this literary device in everyday life third studio by... A few lines from literature and songs Together into one phrase can produce a verbally puzzling yet... In someone who is untruthful or deceptive an entire book, depending on,.

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