But pairing it with, a very distinct meaning, comparing it to a loud noise that draws extra attention. Feeling 'bumfuzzled' or have the 'collywobbles'? Feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire, sick health! Our vetted tutor database includes a range of experienced educators who can help you polish an essay for English or explain how derivatives work for Calculus. These word pairings are not inherently opposite, but their individual concepts can seem contradictory when combined. oxymoron: 1 n conjoining contradictory terms (as in `deafening silence') Type of: figure , figure of speech , image , trope language used in a figurative or nonliteral sense [11], Other examples from English-language literature include: "Saturday Night Live transcripts." Posted at 14:06h in does jetblue have power outlets by white stuff on frozen chicken. What Is an Oxymoron? The suggestion is that after a year into high school or college, a sophomore might think they know everything there is to know, but really has a long way to go. [22], Similarly, the term "civil war" is sometimes jokingly referred to as an "oxymoron" (punning on the lexical meanings of the word "civil"). 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. oxymoron, a word or group of words that is self-contradicting, as in bittersweet or plastic glass. Like a paradox, an oxymoron is whats known as a contradiction in terms, although oxymorons and paradoxes are two different things, as explained below. "100 Awfully Good Examples of Oxymorons." "conventionally unconventional", "tortuous spontaneity" (Henry James)[17] Consider the common oxymorons and think about times they may have been included in conversations you have had. The term "oxymoron" is itself an oxymoron as it derives from the Greek "oxus" (sharp) and "moros" (stupid). Sign up to receive the latest and greatest articles from our site automatically each week (give or take)right to your inbox. The adjective sophomoric has two meanings that bring a somewhat negative connotation to sophomores: conceited and overconfident of knowledge but poorly informed and immature (as in a sophomoric argument) or lacking in maturity, taste, or judgment (as in sophomoric humor). It makes more sense when you read the thrift in spendthrift as a noun that can refer to the savings that one has accumulated through the careful management of money. 'Hiemal,' 'brumation,' & other rare wintry words. Merriam-Webster defines an oxymoron as a rhetorical device in which a combination of contradictory or incongruous words is used in conjunction. What Is the Figure of Speech Antiphrasis? Learn all about effective imageryandwhat personification is with our expert guides. Oxymoron Definitions The dictionary definition of oxymoron is:- A rhetorical figure of speech in which contradictory terms are paired, for example, alone together, current history or boneless ribs. These cookies do not store any personal information. Terrific has positive connotations, as in wonderful or extraordinarily great. "Oxymoron" is Greek for "sharply dull," so the word is itself an oxymoron. 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. One example of a paradox is the following conflicting idea. 2023 LoveToKnow Media. Supermarket was coined by adding the prefix super- (higher in quantity, quality, or degree) to the noun market for a large store that carried a vast assortment of groceries and other household goods. Oxymorons combine contradictory words, but paradoxes combine contradictory ideas. Big baby. 2020, Preposterous suggests the idea of conflict in its meaning: contrary to nature, reason, or common sense, as in a preposterous notion.. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that places contradictory terms next to each other in a word or phrase. Oxymoron is an effective literary device. Oxymoron is a figure of speech that uses two opposing words or contradictory words to convey a new idea. brennan boesch career earnings cameron boyce funeral cameron boyce funeral The conservative political writer William Buckley, for instance, became famous for quotes like, "An intelligent liberal is an oxymoron.". The Greek expression "to oxymoron" refers, literally, to the "acutely mad". It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. If you are looking for something seriously funny that will serve as a simply brilliant example of an oxymoron, the following article provides you with a compiled oxymoron list. Oxymoron definition, a figure of speech by which a locution produces an incongruous, seemingly self-contradictory effect, as in "cruel kindness" or "to make haste slowly." See more. Also, they often lead the reader to an underlying truth. ), so this article explains everything you need to know. The word oxymoron is an ancient Greek word, which translates most closely to something like sharply dull or cleverly stupid. In other words, the oxymoron definition is itself an oxymoron. Oxymorons can be clearly confusing (see what we did there? One goose, two geese. Grammarly can check your spelling and save you from grammar and punctuation mistakes. However, liar has negative connotations, as in someone who is untruthful or deceptive. An oxymoron is also a noun that's defined as "a figure of speech by which a locution produces an incongruous, seemingly self-contradictory effect, as in 'cruel kindness' or 'to make haste slowly.'" So when contradictory or opposing words are combined, that expression is an oxymoron. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines contradictory words with opposing meanings, like old news, deafening silence, or organized chaos. Oxymorons may seem illogical at first, but in context they usually make sense. Seeing these oxymoron examples used in the context of sentences may provide a better idea of how and why they're used. And then an interesting thing happens with superette. "wise-foolish"). ThoughtCo. That might be a bit of an exaggeration, but there are certainly more than just a few. An oxymoron is a combination of words, typically just two words, with contradictory meanings. Here's an example of paradox from George Orwell's Animal Farm: Read literally, they contradict themselves. The other two oxymorons emphasize the fact that no matter what happensfor example,no matter how sad or defeated the speaker might feelthere willalways be a silver lining in that he'swith the love of his life. Value Added Publishing. We already gave an oxymoron definition above, so here lets talk about paradoxes. This excerpt from Irish poet William Butler Yeats famous poem "Easter 1916" has the prominent oxymoron "terrible beauty," which is repeated again at the end of the poem. What are examples of oxymoron? Learn a new word every day. Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone. This book, in which Wallace presents employees of the IRS and their spectacularly damaged lives, often dwells on the connection between tedium and pain. Are you still searching for the perfect oxymoron? The main topic of this poem is the 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin, an event during whichnumerous Irish nationalists rebelled against the British government in Ireland. Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub.PrepScholar.com, allow you to interact with your peers and the PrepScholar staff. The combining form oxy- is present in the word oxygen. Oxymorons are often confused with paradoxesafter all, both are textbook contradictions of terms. Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone. Paired together, however, they create a deeper meaning. These word pairs, though actually opposite in meaning, are put together so that the meaning that they are trying to put forward is emphasized. Samuel Johnson defined it as, "a rhetorical figure in which an epithet of a quite contrary signification is added to any word or phrase creating a contradiction in terms.". and Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/awfully-good-examples-of-oxymorons-1691814. How to use each word. ), so this article explains everything you need to know. An oxymoron is a literary device combining oppositional words to create a unique word or phrase. tautology, noun : needless or meaningless repetition in close succession of an idea, statement, or word. If this statement is indeed false as it says, then this would actually make it true. your text, so your work is extra polished wherever you write. An example of such a "comical oxymoron" is "educational television": the humour derives entirely from the claim that it is an oxymoron by the implication that "television" is so trivial as to be inherently incompatible with "education". the word nascar is an oxymoron. the word nascar is an oxymoron 03 Jun. Sign up for our weekly newsletters and get: By signing in, you agree to our Terms and Conditions We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. The scope of a paradox can go much deeper, drawing on complicated themes and philosophical concepts. O loving hate!"). In literary contexts, the author does not usually signal the use of an oxymoron, but in rhetorical usage, it has become common practice to advertise the use of an oxymoron explicitly to clarify the argument, as in: In this example, "Epicurean pessimist" would be recognized as an oxymoron in any case, as the core tenet of Epicureanism is equanimity (which would preclude any sort of pessimist outlook). Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. The main difference between an oxymoron and a paradox is that oxymorons use contradictory words whereas paradoxes use contradictory ideas. no longer a productive compound in English, but loaned as a compound from a different language), as with pre-posterous (lit. Oxymoronically is the adverbial form of the word. If something is original,then it is not a copy. This is a pairing of opposing words that contradict each other. 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. For example, "virtual reality" consists of contradictory terms that form a new meaning. When someone says a phrase such as "clearly confused," the speaker is finding a new way to describe that individual or object. For some of these examples, the oxymorons are linked to two phrases within the sentence rather than a single phrase. Consider the oxymoron example deafening silence. The most common type of oxymoron is an adjective followed by a noun. Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way. You have been successfully subscribed to the Grammarly blog. Is it starting to seem like there is an unlimited supply of oxymorons in the English language? All rights reserved. Home Uncategorized the word nascar is an oxymoron. She is passionate about education, writing, and travel. From 2013 to 2015, she taught English in Japan via the JET Program. Now you can see that oxymorons add humor or drama to speech or writing, allowing you to make a funny or pointed remark. This is especially achieved if the word pairing reveals intensity or a great difference in quality. Reading these words together will often cause a reader to pause and think about what the writer is trying to convey. One classic example of the use of oxymorons in English literature can be found in this example from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, where Romeo strings together thirteen in a row: O brawling love! The Italian pianoforte or fortepiano is an example from a Western language; the term is short for gravicembalo col piano e forte, as it were "harpiscord with a range of different volumes", implying that it is possible to play both soft and loud (as well as intermediate) notes, not that the sound produced is somehow simultaneously "soft and loud". Exactly! Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come. Shellfish. Grammarly helps you communicate confidently. However, the terms are also complementary as a pair. This list is in no way comprehensive, and just aims at giving you an idea as to what oxymora are. Delivered to your inbox! However, an oxymoron, in its strict definition, requires that the two words be side by side, as in: "X was undergoing constant change." The phrase "The only constant is change." (the original Asimov quote), or the phrase "Change is the only constant," is best described as a simple paradox. 2001 - 2023 Oxymoron.info - All rights reserved. The sentences in this section feature oxymorons from the list above. The first word is usually used to describe the second word in a way that contrasts with it. Oxymorons have been used for millennia. The phrasedaily night certainly features contrary wording. 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. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that puts two words next to each other with very different meanings that end up making sense in a strange way. are combined to create a rhetorical effect by paradoxical means. Oxymoron: a combination of contradictory words. An Oxymoron is two words, or a compound word, with contradictory definitions. Accessed 4 Mar. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that is made up of two or more words that seem to be the opposite of each other or truly are opposite of each other. SAT is a registered trademark of the College Entrance Examination BoardTM. "hateful good" (Chaucer, translating odibile bonum)[12] [7] The word oxymoron is autological, i.e. up next, we take a look at oxymoron examples in sentences from literature and pop culture. It takes that remaining super- prefix from supermarket and then replaces market with the diminutive suffix -ette (as found in words like kitchenette or featurette). Heres a tip: Want to make sure your writing shines? However, others can be intentional: For instance, in the phrase deafening silence, the seeming contradiction only serves to emphasize the intensity of the silence. matthew wilson obituary gan lstm time series github mayo clinic scottsdale patient portal. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free! 2023. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines contradictory words with opposing meanings, like "old news," "deafening silence," or "organized chaos." Oxymorons may seem illogical at first, but in context they usually make sense. When we think of oxymorons, we often think of two-word phrases with seemingly opposite components, like "alone together" or "sweet sorrow." 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.". What ACT target score should you be aiming for? Nordquist, Richard. That I shall say good night till it be morrow. A common oxymoron is the phrase "the same difference." There is, we regret to inform you, no commonly used verb form of the word. There are quite a few in just the first three letters. They are known as oxymora, and in this article, you will find an oxymoron list, which will give you some really good and yet, funny oxymora so that you can understand the concept better. Quotes tagged as "oxymoron" Showing 1-30 of 30. Oxymoron. Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oxymoron. In this scene, Juliet utters the phrase "sweet sorrow" to describe the feeling she has when having to say goodbye to Romeo. Find 52 ways to say OXYMORON, along with antonyms, related words, and example sentences at Thesaurus.com, the world's most trusted free thesaurus. Review the example sentences below to get a better sense of how oxymorons can be used in sentences and dialogue. So elements that mean great and small combine to form a noun for a place to pick up your provisions. that juxtaposes contradictory terms. Amplification Definition and Examples in Rhetoric, 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. They can enhance writing and communication in a variety of ways, including by adding dramatic effect. Oxymorons are an excellent, thought-provoking tool to use in writing, but they're certainly not the only device you should work with. Oxymoron is sometimes used to describe a word combination that strikes the listener as humorously contradictory, even if the speaker didn't intend it that way. Grammarly helps you communicate confidently Many oxymora are simple to understand and interpret their hidden meaning. Learn more. Bringing them together into one phrase can produce a verbally puzzling, yet engaging, effect. They're not always small, and the word doesn't mean small in this sense. Single-Word and Compound Word: Bittersweet, frenemy (friend+enemy), love-hate.Adjective + Noun: Sweet sorrow (made famous by William . A person who is thrifty does not like to spend money. According to Wills, Buckley has "poisoned the general currency" of the word oxymoron by using it as just a "fancier word for 'contradiction'", when he said that "an intelligent liberal is an oxymoron". Real fake is a combination of contradictory terms. This combination of contrary or antithetical words is also known in conversation as a contradiction in terms. See how other students and parents are navigating high school, college, and the college admissions process. An oxymoron is a figure of speech, usually one or two words, in which seemingly contradictory terms appear side by side. the word nascar is an oxymoron. Misshapen chaos of well-seeming forms! Indeed, oxymorons are often used to make fun of an idea, person, or . Check out the funniest accidental, and intentional, malapropism examples as well. Like. Below, we provide you with an extensive list of oxymorons. On its own silence is fairly neutralit can be calm or tense, depending on the context. Superette might not strike you as the most obvious oxymoron. ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score, How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League, Is the ACT easier than the SAT? Oxymorons can be clearly confusing (see what we did there? An oxymoron is a figure of speech containing words that seem to contradict each other. Oxymorons are similar to such other devices as paradox and antithesis and are often used in poetry and other literature. Delivered to your inbox! Now that weve gone over what an oxymoron is, lets take a closer look at four famous oxymoron examples in sentences to better understand how this literary device actually works. Oxymorons are common, often unconscious, literary devices. An oxymoron is usually just two words (sometimes one, as in bittersweet), but a paradox is an entire statement, usually a standalone sentence or even a full, What is the difference between oxymoron and paradox?, A Guide to Using Plain Language in Writing. Nordquist, Richard. There are many examples of oxymorons in the English language such as "jumbo shrimp," "hot ice," and "civil war." Oxymoron is a word that literally means "contradictory terms." As a rhetorical device, an oxymoron illustrates a point to communicate and reveal a paradox. Learn a new word every day. Highlighting their differences accentuates their meaning and the words come across stronger. Oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines two normally contradictory terms think "deafening silence," "wise fool" or "cruel kindness.". They add flavour to speech and can also be cynical, sarcastic, or witty and used for comic effect or relief. "beggarly riches" (John Donne),[14] insertListLink('', 1, 2, 'endfirsth2'). 'when they are silent, they cry out'), This famous quotation from Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet contains an equally famous oxymoron. As well as playing with oxymorons, Oscar Wilde was also a master of symbolism. It is often composed of an adjective and a noun that are not usually seen together, juxtaposed in a startling way. An oxymoronis a figure of speech, usually one or two words, in which seemingly contradictory terms appear side by side. Therefore, the linguistic skill demonstrated in this oxymoron is a layered. Its a somewhat regional word for a small convenience-type grocery store, often used in business names (Carsons Superette).