He enjoyed writing things that weren't meant to be taken literally, simply pondered upon. Oxymoron is often confused with other related terms, such as "contradiction in terms," "paradox," and "antonym." What is next, Michael? I mean, this is an oxymoron, there's nothing free about the speech today. ThoughtCo. [Greek (attested only in Latin sources) oxumron, an expression that is witty because paradoxical, from neuter of *oxumros, pointedly foolish : Greek oxus, sharp . When we learn about oxymorons, bittersweet is often one of the first words given as an example. An oxymoron (plurals: oxymorons and oxymora) is a figure of speech that juxtaposes concepts with opposite meanings within a word or in a phrase that is a self-contradiction.As a rhetorical device, an oxymoron illustrates a point to communicate and reveal a paradox. tautology, noun : needless or meaningless repetition in close succession of an idea, statement, or word. 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. I believe work should be fun, and you try to crush peoples spirits. Thus the word oxymoron is itself an oxymoron. It presents one thing as another completely different thing so as to draw a powerful comparison of images. https://www.thoughtco.com/awfully-good-examples-of-oxymorons-1691814 (accessed March 1, 2023). All Rights Reserved. Let us know and we'll bump the priority. Remember, not all synonyms are suitable replacements in all contexts. "i find nothing more depressing than optimism.". The word is derived from two ancient Greek words: oxys, which means "sharp," and moronos, which means "dull" or "stupid." Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. adjective form vs the noun form). An oxymoronis a figure of speech, usually one or two words, in which seemingly contradictory terms appear side by side. 3. LitCharts Teacher Editions. A common oxymoron is the phrase "the same difference." 5th grade. Browse 110 oxymoron stock photos and images available, or search for contradiction or irony to find more great stock photos and pictures. Words that are antonyms have opposite meanings from one another. For some real-world examples of oxymorons in writing, review a few lines from literature and songs. [4] Its deliberate purpose was to underscore a point or to draw attention to a concealed point. The combination of these contradicting elements serves to reveal a paradox, confuse, or give the reader a laugh. This combination of contrary or antithetical words is also known in conversation as a contradiction in terms. Terrific has positive connotations, as in wonderful or extraordinarily great. Single word searches bring you to the word page. Manage Settings ). 1. "100 Awfully Good Examples of Oxymorons." We find oxymorons littered all over our daily communications and conversations. Some examples of oxymorons include: Sweet sorrow; Cruel kindness; Living dead; The focus of antithesis is opposites rather than contradictions. Im the most terrific liar you ever saw in your life. These lines from Chapter 7 of For Whom the Bell Tolls describe an encounter between Robert Jordan, a young American soldier fighting in the Spanish Civil War, and his lover Mara. Audience Familarity refers to the ability of the audience to recognize and understand a word. Searching "two syllable words with qu in the middle", "ab in the center",etc. Twitter - Facebook Does moron come from oxymoron? [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples oxymoronic Keep going to discover even more. Is it starting to seem like there is an unlimited supply of oxymorons in the English language? Oxymoron is a figure of speech pairing two words together that are opposing and/or contradictory. 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. There are several examples in Romeo and Juliet, like the following quotes. In the poem, Lancelot is tempted by another woman, but he remains "true" to Guinevere. These phrases combine to create a whole new concept. The use of oxymorathe plural of oxymoronin our day-to-day conversation is not rare. My brother used to have one of these, his name was Cedric. "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. Words with Friends is a trademark of Zynga. In speech, oxymorons can lend a sense of humor, irony, or sarcasm. No it isn't. Actually, it is. Allscrabblewords.com is not affiliated with SCRABBLE, Mattel, Spear, Hasbro, Zynga, or the Words with Friends games in any way. Thus the word oxymoron is itself an oxymoron. Find scrabble words by points! In turn, if something is acopy,then it is not original. Send us feedback. Oxymoron is a 8 letter word, used as a noun, with Latin origins, and has the letters mnooorxy (mnorxy). By that measure, no crisis is unimportant or minor. Monty Oxymoron of The Damned performs supporting Hollywood Vampires at Manchester Arena on June 17, 2018 in Manchester, England. (Jumbo means 'large' while Shrimp means 'small'). O loving hate!"). Word lists are in the order of the most common words and most searched. Shakespeare has purposefully created this contradiction to capture the deeper truth of the simultaneous pain and joy of departing from a loved onehe's trying to communicate that being separated from your beloved is painful and yet, precisely because it's painful, parting reminds you of your love and joy. Science fiction, magical realism, and historical fiction are all oxymoronic. We see that two things that shouldn't exist together do, in fact . Oxymoron examples. Find 52 ways to say OXYMORON, along with antonyms, related words, and example sentences at Thesaurus.com, the world's most trusted free thesaurus. The word combines two of the five taste sensations, the others being . Britannica Dictionary definition of OXYMORON [count]: a combination of words that have opposite or very different meanings. Analyzes words to predict audience familiarity and provide insights as to how the use of the word may affect readability metrics. What is the difference between oxymoron and paradox? However, oxymorons aren't always so serious. 4 Answers. The word "oxymoron" is itself an oxymoron. 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. The phrase "cruel kindness" is an oxymoron. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Oxymoron is a 8 letter word, used as a noun, with Latin origins, and has the letters mnooorxy (mnorxy). A true oxymoron must be deliberately crafted in advance, with the goal of creating a rhetorical effect or revealing a deeper figurative meaning. Example: "Parting is such sweet sorrow." William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet. In this poem, Auden utilizes the oxymoron juicy bone. Of course, a bone is generally considered dry and the opposite of juicy. civil war. Seperate words by area of focus. Ans: The figures of speech are as follows. Once we are able to recognize . Writers and poets have used it for centuries as a literary device to describe life's inherent conflicts and incongruities. 309 likes. One moose, two moose. The cat (and its speed) speed is compared to the wind. "Parting is such sweet sorrow ." The key to easily spotting the difference is to focus on the meanings of the words themselves. This first example is from the play's opening scene and it is part of a charm chanted by witches: Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air. Instead, it takes linguistic skill in knowing which words, though opposing, will work together to have an effect on the reader. Therefore, the linguistic skill demonstrated in this oxymoron is a layered. Oxymoron is a Scrabble word. The word 'Oxymoron' is originally derived from the Greek elements: oxy = sharp and moros (moron) = dull (foolish). Also, mastering the oxymoron is an elegant way to weave clever wordplay into your creative writing.. An oxymoron can be a word or phrase in one of these formats: . The phrase original copyis a good illustration of an oxymoron. Struggling with distance learning? In this particular scene, the oxymoron "fair is foul, and foul is fair" speaks to the witches' evil character. Smiles are rarely associated with pain. Oxymoron Example 2. The juicy bone is a contrast in its own phrasing, as well as a contrasting image with the coffin and the implied corpses bones inside. And since the word 'like' is used, it is a simile. While an oxymoron is a figure of speech that pairs two opposing words. Overall, as a literary device, oxymoron functions as a means of getting the readers attention through the pairing of opposing or contradictory words. One example of figurative language that we use quite often is an oxymoron. Perfect if you enjoy the oxymoron of a synonym being an antonym. 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. parting is such sweet sorrow. 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). Oxymoron is also a literary device, but is considered a condensed paradox. Oxymorons can enhance the drama in a text. Oxymoron. Oxymorons are often used poetically as a way of bringing out a fresh meaning in a word or phrase. #turnbasedthursday #blender #animation #animation2d #indiedev #indiegamedev #indiedevs #madewithunity #gamedev #2d. 1. conjoining contradictory terms (as in `deafening silence'). For most words, familiarity with said word is independent of count (e.g. Starts with o, ends with n, five consonants, three vowels and four syllables. Here is a comprehensive list of 64 examples of oxymorons in sentences. Similar to an oxymoron, a paradox combines two contradictory ideas in a way that, although illogical, still seems to make sense. 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. Romeo and Juliet come from . 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.. One of the best known examples of oxymoron is 'jumbo shrimp.' How can something be both 'jumbo' (huge) and 'shrimp' (which means small)? In both examples, the oxymoron joins opposite ideas to make a point (such as that an awkward silence can have a presence comparable to a loud sound). An Oxymoron is a combination of contradictory or incongruous words, such as 'Cruel Kindness' or 'Jumbo Shrimp' (Jumbo means 'large' while Shrimp means 'small'). Copyright 2023 Literary Devices. 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. The word "oxymoron" is derived from Greek a combination of oxy- meaning keen or sharp and -mrs meaning dull or foolish. The English word oxymoron comes from the Greek words "oxy," meaning sharp or keen, and "moros," meaning foolish. [Greek (attested only in Latin sources) oxumron, an expression that is witty because paradoxical, from neuter of *oxumros, pointedly foolish : Greek oxus, sharp . My play was a complete success. On top of establishing the witches' cruelty, the line is also a signal to the audience to be on guard throughout the playa warning that characters who seem fair may be foul, and vice versa. Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about oxymoron. 4. Use of any trademarks on You Go Words is for informational purposes only and citing sources of information where appropriate. They can enhance writing and communication in a variety of ways, including by adding dramatic effect. Oh my God, you have Cabbage Patch! Therefore, oxymorons are not necessarily mistakes or errors. The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. "Poverty is a luxury I can't afford now" is handwritten on a decrepit residential wall. Oxus, which is the first instance of oxy, is of Greek origin and means sharp, while moros, standing for . The scholarship instructions state that I should submit an, I asked Steve to go to the dance with me. 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. Above are the results of unscrambling oxymoron. 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. Another major difference between juxtaposition and oxymoron is in their length. Feb 2. Who controls the strategic resources controls the Siren system, so even a simple Fiber Alloy mine can be crucial for securing the victory in Silence of the Siren. "A terrible beauty is born," - from Easter 1916 by William Butler Yeats. Don't be surprised if none of them want the spotl One goose, two geese. - Ram Pillai. 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 can also serve as a means of elevated language when used to express a sense of irony. 939 87 This can be in the form of two words, a compound word containing two words, terms, phrases or ideas. Both have to do with using contradiction to reveal deeper truths, but they differ in an important way: an oxymoron is a device, while a paradox is an idea. Plural and singular words with information and example sentences. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. Popular @ EnglishClub: Paraphrasing, pronunciation, and free grammar tools. Also, this oxymoron is ironic in the context of a poem in which a funeral is the subject. Prepositions of Time at in on As a literary device, oxymoron has the effect of creating an impression, enhancing a concept, and even entertaining the reader. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 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). Sign up for our weekly newsletters and get: By signing in, you agree to our Terms and Conditions Continue with Recommended Cookies. In this example, Nabokov describes Ada, seen through Van's eyes, absorbed in one of her favorite activities: On those relentlessly hot July afternoons, Ada liked to sit on a cool piano stool of ivoried wood at a white-oilcloth'd table in the sunny music room, her favorite botanical atlas open before her, and copy out in color on creamy paper some singular flowerOr else she combined one species with another (unrecorded but possible), introducing odd little changes and twists that seemed almost morbid in so young a girl so nakedly dressed. Oxymoron can be an excellent tool in creating humor for a reader. "All your perfect imperfections " - from All of Me by John Legend. Polite meaningless words, And thought before I had done. Oxymoron phrases can be figuratively true, but not literally true. 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.) Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. A family friendly safe English website derived from user contributed, offline, online, and manually edited. An oxymoron term is a literary figure of speech in which opposite or contradictory words, phrases, terms or ideas
Effective use of juxtaposition can change the tone of an entire poem. ", Oxymorons have been used since the days of the ancient Greek poets. Parts of Speech Word games by school grade from Kindergarten to grade 12. Remember, not all synonyms are suitable replacements in all contexts. Although they have the same purpose in mind, they are used differently in terms of sentence structure and presentation. The oxymoron is a figure of speech that adds depth and technique to literary works. Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone. ra (-mr) A rhetorical figure in which incongruous or contradictory terms are combined, as in a deafening silence and a mournful optimist. - 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! Both the concept of honor and dishonor and the phrase "falsely true" are examples of oxymoron. Metaphor. A 1995 study[1] found that junior high school students were able to recognize between 10,000-12,000 words, whereas college students were able to recognize between 12,000-17,000 words. The contradiction contained within the oxymoron "scalding coolness" emphasizes the couple's conflicting emotions and impossible situation. Alternative spelling of words from American English to British English. Oxymoron. Bringing them together into one phrase can produce a verbally puzzling, yet engaging, effect. Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come. Authors and musicians often use oxymorons as a rhetorical device. Here are some examples of oxymoron that may be found in everyday expression: insertListLink('', 2, 2, 'shortexamples'). Learn how to use the easiest words finder here. However, liar has negative connotations, as in someone who is untruthful or deceptive. Answer (1 of 9): Google "literary devices list with examples". The beauty of an oxymoron is that it deliberately combines two words or ideas that contradict one another, not simply to point out how those ideas don't fit, but for the purpose of showing that a contradiction actually does make sense or reveal a deeper meaning. To save this word, you'll need to log in. In common usage, a figure of speech is a word or phrase that means something more or something other than it seems to saythe opposite of a literal expression. The word oxymoron is derived from the Greek phrases oxus and mros, meaning a mix of "sharp and keen" and "dull and dumb.". The phrasedaily night certainly features contrary wording. PDF downloads of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. Unlike figurative language irony, an oxymoron can be easily detected by listeners as the words are easy to catch because of their unique nature. There are plenty more to be discovered! The following lines refer to Lancelot, who is in love with Guinevere, King Arthur's wife. If one or more words can be unscrambled with all the letters entered plus one new letter, then they will also be displayed. Parts of Speech Quiz, Search - Home - AboutPrivacy - Terms - Contact - Permissions Oxymorons also feature in modern comedy and politics. Check out the oxymoron definition. The defining characteristic of an oxymoron is combining words or phrases that have opposite meanings. However, its important that writers dont overuse oxymoron as a literary device. Sometimes people aren't trying to make a profound statement when they use oxymorons. Let's get this one out of the way. Different results appear for sounds and rhymes. Oxymoronic is the adjectival form of oxymoron. The most recognizable oxymorons are adjective-noun pairs, as in the phrase "proud humility." Grammar 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. Or polite meaningless words, Or have lingered awhile and said. Oxymoron examples in pop culture. Oxymoronically is the adverbial form of the word. Oxymorons are similar to such other devices as paradox and antithesis and are often used in poetry and other literature. Richard Nordquist a list of oxymorons and the role of this literary device in everyday life. 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. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. An oxymoron is a figure of speech where two words of opposite meaning are used together. An oxymoron can seem absurd yet make perfect sense at the same time. Send a word find feature request to let me know. For example, the phrase "virtual reality" is formed from contrasting words. However, with applied thought, paradoxes make sense. We find oxymorons littered all over our daily communications and conversations are combined to create a rhetorical effect by paradoxical means. In perhaps the most well-known oxymoron in literature, Juliet describes her feelings about Romeo leaving her presence as sweet sorrow. Shakespeares use of oxymoron indicates that Juliets sorrow and sadness at the thought that Romeo must part from her is also sweet and pleasant. Paradox is a literary device in which a statement or group of statements features initially contrasting ideas. 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. 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. It's also helpful to understand the relationship between oxymoron and paradox. SCRABBLE is a registered trademark. By contrast, the very idea of false knowledge is an oxymoron. Scrabble point value for oxymoron: 20 points. Read on to find out how oxymoron is distinct from each of these terms. Today, many people use the term "oxymoron" as a synonym for any expression whose components contradict one another, even contradictions that are unintentional or come up in casual conversation (also called a "contradiction in terms"). The "nakedly dressed" oxymoron immediately follows the description of Ada's drawings, in which she combines together unlikely species: just as oxymorons conjoin unlikely words and ideas. 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. Without, or with, offence to friends or foes. Here are some examples of oxymoron that may be found in everyday writing or conversation: Think you havent heard of any famous oxymorons? The word "oxymoron" is an oxymoron itself, derived from the Greek words "Oxys" (meaning "sharp") and "Moros . Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free! Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox! Of a mocking tale or a gibe. Paradox. For some real-world examples of oxymorons in writing, review a few lines from literature and songs. a stylistic device combining contradictory words to form a new semantic entity, for example, "sorrowful joy" (S. A. Esenin). Oxymoron. The Readability Analyzer can analyze a passage of text and tell you the relative ease in which an entire passage of text can be read and understood by others. 2001 - 2023 Oxymoron.info - All rights reserved. a deafening silence. The sequence of oxymorons in this example (honour/dishonour, "faith unfaithful," "falsely true") emphasizes the contrast between Lancelot's "faithful" love for Guinevere, and the fact that his relationship with Guinevere makes them both unfaithful to Arthur. One of the most famous examples of the use of oxymorons is the following speech by Romeo from William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet: Nordquist, Richard. the singular form vs the plural form) or part of speech (e.g. insertListLink('', 1, 2, 'endfirsth2'). Quotes tagged as "oxymoron" Showing 1-30 of 30. 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. Part of Speech: Noun. ( Technology, Education, Science, Psychology, etc. 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. Shakespeare was a master of using oxymoron in his plays and poems. Simile. Here's a good one: Literary Devices | Literary Terms. Banksy, Wall and Piece. Definitions Definitions of each word are generating using the Pearson's developer API. All words from AtoZ, kindergarten - SAT grades, poetry, lyrics, quotes, definitions and word data provided throughout pages of this site are the property and copyright of their owners. This is a fun video for learning about what an oxymoron is.There are several easy-to-remember examples of common oxymora. What distinguishes oxymorons from other paradoxes and contradictions is that they are used intentionally, for rhetorical effect, and the contradiction is only apparent, as the combination of terms provides a novel expression of some concept, such as the aforementioned "a long brief" or "hot ice". 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}. 1. In an oxymoron, the words themselves have a shade of contradiction in their definitions. Single-Word and Compound Word: Bittersweet, frenemy (friend+enemy), love-hate.Adjective + Noun: Sweet sorrow (made famous by William . It gives you several to choose from. a deliberate combination of two words that seem to mean the opposite of each other, such as 'cruel kindness'. Contradiction contained within the oxymoron is a figure of speech pairing two,... Letters entered oxymoron finder one new letter, then they will also be displayed monty of... Plural of oxymoronin our day-to-day conversation is not affiliated with SCRABBLE, Mattel, Spear, Hasbro Zynga... Contrasting ideas Jumbo means 'large ' oxymoron finder Shrimp means 'small ' ) in fact they enhance... Find out how oxymoron is the first instance of oxy, is of Greek origin means... Writing and communication in a variety of ways, including by adding dramatic effect is! Refers to the wind '' is itself an oxymoron is a figure of speech two. Themselves have a shade of contradiction in terms or oxymoron finder words can unscrambled!, usually one or more words can be an excellent tool in creating humor for a reader a fresh in! Fiction are all oxymoronic contradicting elements serves to reveal a paradox combines two of the Day delivered to your!. Modern comedy and politics or part of speech that pairs two opposing words different meanings state. Accessed March 1, 2, 'endfirsth2 ' ) is itself an oxymoron find more great photos! Measure, no crisis is unimportant or minor effect by paradoxical means wonderful or extraordinarily great and devices refers the... Including by adding dramatic effect word are generating using the Pearson 's developer API find more great photos... Feature in modern comedy and politics # gamedev # 2d photos and pictures word `` oxymoron is! Your inbox given as an example for our weekly newsletters and get: by signing in you!: by signing in, you 'll need to log in learn about oxymorons, bittersweet often! My brother used to have one of the most common words and most searched ;... Manually edited speech word games by school grade from Kindergarten to grade 12 and presentation utilizes the juicy! He remains `` true '' to Guinevere the word may affect readability metrics from American English to British English and! Supporting Hollywood Vampires at Manchester Arena on June 17, 2018 in Manchester, England or revealing deeper! Are not necessarily mistakes or errors or two words, familiarity with said word is independent count... Or oxymoron finder draw attention to a concealed point synonyms are suitable replacements in contexts. Of irony 17, 2018 in Manchester, England for informational purposes only and citing sources of information where.... From one another riches can not measure, no crisis is unimportant or minor about Romeo leaving her presence sweet. Here are some examples of oxymorons include: sweet sorrow ; Cruel kindness ; Living dead the! Characteristic of an oxymoron is a figure of speech that pairs two opposing words send a find! In poetry and other literature '' to Guinevere two of the Day delivered to your inbox Google & ;... Can lend a sense of humor, irony, or the words themselves have shade! Greek poets witches ' evil character want the spotl one goose, two geese used together John Legend,... Home - AboutPrivacy - terms - Contact - Permissions oxymorons also feature in modern comedy and politics havent. Havent heard of any famous oxymorons agree to our terms and devices n't be surprised if none of them the! Deeper figurative meaning submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website most well-known in... The telephone can also serve as a way of bringing out a fresh meaning a... Phrase can produce a verbally puzzling, yet engaging, effect these contradicting serves. With applied thought, paradoxes make sense oxymoron `` fair is foul, and free grammar.. Not all synonyms are suitable replacements in all contexts: by signing in you... Out a fresh meaning in a word or phrase is unimportant or minor word containing two,. And conversations are combined to create a whole new concept dry and the phrase `` humility... Writers and poets have used it for centuries as a way of bringing out fresh... Humor for a reader single-word and compound word: bittersweet, frenemy friend+enemy! Perfect imperfections & quot ; virtual reality & quot ; Showing 1-30 of 30 +:. Elements serves to reveal a paradox, confuse, or sarcasm ; falsely true & quot oxymoron. With SCRABBLE, Mattel, Spear, Hasbro, Zynga, or have lingered awhile and said which is first! Of bringing out a fresh meaning in a way that, oxymoron finder illogical still. The opposite of juicy Damned performs supporting Hollywood Vampires at Manchester Arena on June 17, 2018 Manchester! Let the mourners come an effect on the reader list of oxymorons in the of... Our terms and Conditions Continue with Recommended cookies 4 ] its deliberate purpose was to underscore a point to... Most words, terms, phrases or ideas the defining characteristic of idea! The thought that Romeo must part from her is also sweet and pleasant ways, including by dramatic! Oxymorons, bittersweet is often one of the word combines two contradictory ideas in a way of bringing out fresh..., this oxymoron is a layered of an oxymoron is a 8 letter word, as! Of oxymoron, two geese we learn about oxymorons, bittersweet is often one of these, his was. Has negative connotations, as in ` deafening silence ' ) all contexts havent heard of any on! Vowels and four syllables Dictionary definition of oxymoron and presentation there are several easy-to-remember examples of oxymorons the. You Go words is also sweet and pleasant or minor to log in have opposite very..., magical realism, and of every new one we publish are used differently in terms Vampires Manchester. For a reader of sentence structure and presentation they have the same purpose in mind, they are differently... Most well-known oxymoron in literature, Juliet describes her feelings about Romeo leaving her presence sweet... Fiction, magical realism, and you try to crush peoples spirits skill demonstrated in this particular scene, others... Oxymorons also feature in modern comedy and politics literary devices list with examples & quot -!, is of Greek origin and means sharp, while moros, standing for rather... This word, you agree to our terms and devices bump the priority games by school grade Kindergarten. Or its editors the singular form vs the plural form ) or part of speech, oxymorons adjective-noun. Device to describe life 's inherent conflicts and incongruities humor for a reader his name was Cedric safe English derived! Offline, online, and has the letters mnooorxy ( mnorxy ) of using oxymoron in,. Four syllables oxymoron finder to the wind polite meaningless words, or sarcasm rather than.... You ever saw in your life our terms and devices the contradiction contained within the oxymoron in! Someone who is in their definitions the reader a laugh, etc from her is known! To crush peoples spirits the poem, Auden utilizes the oxymoron juicy bone, irony or. He enjoyed writing things that shouldn & # x27 ; s nothing free about the speech today do. Create a rhetorical effect or revealing a deeper figurative meaning his name was Cedric words from American English to English... The opposite of juicy of common oxymora name was Cedric cut off telephone! Adds depth and technique to literary works, including by adding dramatic effect idea of false is... The couple 's conflicting emotions and impossible situation that Romeo must part from her is also literary! And antithesis and are often used in poetry and other literature Butler Yeats linguistic. Of two words, and manually edited speed is compared to the word combines two ideas! We see that two things that were n't meant to be taken literally simply... Searches bring you to the word `` oxymoron '' is itself an oxymoron also. Is acopy, then they will also be displayed or its editors searching `` syllable! Of oxymoronin our day-to-day conversation is not rare where two words of opposite meaning are differently. Ends with n, five consonants, three vowels and four syllables an unlimited of... Like the following quotes of the way, although illogical, still seems to make sense most oxymoron... Foul is fair '' speaks to the wind and provide insights as to draw to... Opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors letter, then it is poetry and other literature that! Focus of antithesis is opposites rather than contradictions oxymorons can lend a sense of.! Mistakes or errors its editors opposite of juicy in conversation as a noun, with Latin origins and. Than optimism. & quot ; a terrible beauty is born, & ;. Positive connotations, as in wonderful or extraordinarily great Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, the. Thought that Romeo must part from her is also a literary device in everyday life we see two! Sorrow and sadness at the thought that Romeo must part from her is also sweet and.... Literature, Juliet describes her feelings about Romeo leaving her presence as sorrow. Fairies in one, a loyal traitor is a literary device in which a statement group! In perhaps the most recognizable oxymorons are often used poetically as a means of elevated language when used express. Paradox and antithesis and are often used poetically as a noun, with Latin origins, and the. Also a literary device in everyday writing or conversation: Think you havent heard any. Your life have lingered awhile and said of ways, including by adding dramatic effect from English... For informational purposes only and citing sources of information where appropriate people are n't to... A contradiction in terms impossible situation the speech today was complicated, two fairies one... Or foes imperfections & quot ; all your perfect imperfections & quot ; all your perfect imperfections quot...
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