The humour derives from implying that an assumption (which might otherwise be expected to be controversial or at least non-evident) is so obvious as to be part of the lexicon. These word pairs, though actually opposite in meaning, are put together so that the meaning that they are trying to put forward is emphasized. For some of these examples, the oxymorons are linked to two phrases within the sentence rather than a single phrase. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines two seemingly contradictory or opposite ideas to create a certain rhetorical or poetic effect and reveal a deeper truth. (One, in particular, is in Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, wherein combining things that contrast is an ongoing theme.) Despite what it might sound like, noan oxymoron isnt something you can call your little brother when hes bugging you. Get the latest articles and test prep tips! pleonasm, noun : the coincident use of a word and its substitute for the same grammatical function. [3], The term oxymoron is first recorded as Latinized Greek oxymrum, in Maurus Servius Honoratus (c. AD 400);[4] it is derived from the Greek word okss "sharp, keen, pointed"[5] and mros "dull, stupid, foolish";[6] as it were, "sharp-dull", "keenly stupid", or "pointedly foolish". If you're learning English as a second language, you might be confused by these figures of speech. 11 October 1975. Yes. The word 'big' is added to emphasise the fact that someone is acting more childishly than you would expect. The pairing, while apparently paradoxical . 2020, Preposterous suggests the idea of conflict in its meaning: contrary to nature, reason, or common sense, as in a preposterous notion.. Generally, an oxymoron phrase is a . 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. Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way. 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. 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. The dictionary defines an oxymoron as a wittily paradoxical turn of phrase that appeals to unconscious responses instead of rational examinations. to compound the power behind certain words. the word nascar is an oxymoron the word nascar is an oxymoron. Oxymoron is a word that describes an expression of two contradictory thoughts, words, or phrases. All Rights Reserved. In other words, oxymorons are contradictive words or phrases used intentionally to create an effect. One example of a paradox is the following conflicting idea. Don't be surprised if none of them want the spotl One goose, two geese. The word "oxymoron" is an oxymoron itself and derives from the . Theme music by Joshua Stamper 2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP. An Oxymoron is two words, or a compound word, with contradictory definitions. 1828 Words at Play Internal Conflict: The One-Word Oxymoron When a single word contains two conflicting ideas. My Blog the word nascar is an oxymoron Authors and musicians often use oxymorons as a rhetorical device. If you're calling someone a "shrimp" meaning small or little, and then adding the adjective "jumbo," THEN it's an oxymoron. Here are some of our favorite oxymoron examples. [22], Similarly, the term "civil war" is sometimes jokingly referred to as an "oxymoron" (punning on the lexical meanings of the word "civil"). Oxymoron phrases can be figuratively true, but not literally true. [7] The word oxymoron is autological, i.e. That noun combines sophos, the Greek adjective meaning wise, with its intellectual opposite mros, meaning foolish.. An oxymoron term is a literary figure of speech in which opposite or contradictory words, phrases, terms or ideas The word "oxymoron" is itself an oxymoron. Writers and poets have used it for centuries as a literary device to describe life's inherent conflicts and incongruities. the word nascar is an oxymoron. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. One moose, two moose. Bittersweet When we think of oxymorons, we often think of two-word phrases with seemingly opposite components, like "alone together" or "sweet sorrow." oxymoron (n.) 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.) As a literary device, oxymoron has the effect of creating an impression, enhancing a concept, and even entertaining the reader. "A lot of people never use their initiative because no-one told them to.". Whether bitter is really the opposite of sweet on the taste spectrum is arguable, but they are often contrasted since bitter is associated with medicines or some vegetables (like radishes) while sweet is associated with, well, sweets (candy and desserts). Take this sentence, for example: There are two oxymorons in this sentence: "minor crisis" and "only choice." Delivered to your inbox! Such a phrase shows that an object can have two different qualities at once, making it a subject for study and analysis. 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. 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. The phrase terrific liar pairs two words that have opposing connotations. Many oxymora are simple to understand and interpret their hidden meaning. 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. With the first oxymoron,"perfect imperfections," the speaker is making it clear that his lovers flaws are ultimately what make her the perfect partner for him. | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | l | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z A B C cafeteria food calculated error calculated risk calculated spontaneity Jane Austen, Emma, 1815. The word is derived from two ancient Greek words: oxys, which means "sharp," and moronos, which means "dull" or "stupid." 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. "proud humility" (Spenser),[13] oxymoron definition: 1. two words or phrases used together that have, or seem to have, opposite meanings: 2. two words. It might sound like a schoolyard insult, but its not. Placing contrasting words next to each other makes each one stand out more, just like placing contrasting colors together. 4 Answers. William Shakespeare was known to sprinkle them throughout his plays, poems, and sonnets. 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. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. brennan boesch career earnings cameron boyce funeral cameron boyce funeral Like a paradox, an oxymoron is whats known as a contradiction in terms, although oxymorons and paradoxes are two different things, as explained below. Check out Tutorbase! oxymoron, noun : a combination for epigrammatic effect of contradictory or incongruous words. Home Uncategorized the word nascar is an oxymoron. Also, they often lead the reader to an underlying truth. Merriam-Webster defines an oxymoron as a rhetorical device in which a combination of contradictory or incongruous words is used in conjunction. 2023 LoveToKnow Media. Now, don't let your brain start to hurt just yetup next, we take a look at oxymoron examples in sentences from literature and pop culture. 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". And faith unfaithful kept him falsely true. You can find her byline on pieces about grammar, fun facts, the meanings of various head-scratching words and phrases, and more. Paired together, however, they create a deeper meaning. In its original Italian, chiaro means clear or light, while oscuro means obscure or dark., One ambitious curator went for a whole Caravaggio, The Supper at Emmaus, using clever kitchen lighting for some real-life chiaroscuro. Usually, oxymorons are made up of just two words, but paradoxes are complete sentences, sometimes entire paragraphs. It involves pairing words that imply different ideas or meanings next to each other to create a deeper meaning in the context. Saying that a picture or a scene is "painfully beautiful" calls attention to the speaker and the object of inquiry. That makes oxymorons a serious option in, is fairly neutralit can be calm or tense, depending on the context. Lord Byron, Don Juan: Canto VIII, His honour rooted in dishonour stood, We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), Palindrome Examples: Words and Phrases That Are the Same Backwards and Forwards, The Most Confusing Rules in the Grammar World, Pangram Examples Every Word Lover Will Appreciate, Stock Your Spring Closet with 12 Dresses Under $100, More Than 300 Words Were Just Added to Dictionary.com, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, The Sound of Silence: Song by Simon & Garfunkel, All your perfect imperfections: John Legend in his song All of Me, Clara Barton: I distinctly remember forgetting that., Isaac Bashevis Singer: We must believe in free will. Oxymorons are not meant to be taken literally. Because of this, an oxymoron is often referred to as a contradiction in terms. Two involve the palindrome, two involve the oxymoron, and one involves onomatopoeia. [9] 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. Jack London, The Call of the Wild, All the pain he had endured was as nothing compared with the exquisite agony of this., The bookful blockhead, ignorantly read, All rights reserved. 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). Oxymorons are often used poetically as a way of bringing out a fresh meaning in a word or phrase. As with other rhetorical devices, oxymorons are used for a variety of purposes. So how did we arrive at spendthrift for a word for someone who spends money wastefully? Generally, the ideas will come astwo separate words placed side by side. This book, in which Wallace presents employees of the IRS and their spectacularly damaged lives, often dwells on the connection between tedium and pain. All babies can be childish but, for some reason, adding the word 'big' communicates that the person you are talking about is even more childish than a regular-sized . You can use dozens of filters and search criteria to find the perfect person for your needs. nt authority local system. As well as playing with oxymorons, Oscar Wilde was also a master of symbolism. The word oxymoron is itself an oxymoron; in Greek, oxy- means "sharp" or "wise," while moros means "foolish." Is an oxymoron always 2 words? Oxymorons present an ideal opportunity to be clever or funny. Oxymoron. Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oxymoron. in a unique way thats particularly expressive. insertListLink('', 1, 2, 'endfirsth2'). Placing contrasting words next to each other makes each one stand out more, just like placing contrasting colors together. 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. The sentences in this section feature oxymorons from the list above. Oxymoron definition: If you describe a phrase as an oxymoron , you mean that what it refers to combines two. We provide informative and helpful articles about the newest fiction and nonfiction books on the market that you can come back to again and again when you have the urge for a new book to dig into. They can enhance writing and communication in a variety of ways, including by adding dramatic effect. If this statement is indeed false as it says, then this would actually make it true. | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/awfully-good-examples-of-oxymorons-1691814. Feel free to look throughthis vast list of oxymoron examplesif youre in need of an oxymoron for something you're writing or if you simply want tolearn some of the most commonones. - 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! Alexander Pope, An Essay on Criticism, Of melancholy merriment, to quote. 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). Consider the common oxymorons and think about times they may have been included in conversations you have had. Terrific has positive connotations, as in wonderful or extraordinarily great. The N Word is a figure of speech - a racist and hateful figure of speech. O heavy lightness, serious vanity! This famous quotation from Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet contains an equally famous oxymoron. These figures of speech can enhance a readers understanding of a concept, interpretation of a phrase, or enjoyment of language. The defining characteristic of an oxymoron is combining words or phrases that have opposite meanings. Oscar Wilde. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. You mightve heard of another literary device called the paradox, which is similar but not identical to the oxymoron. 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. The conservative political writer William Buckley, for instance, became famous for quotes like, "An intelligent liberal is an oxymoron.". "Saturday Night Live transcripts." 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. Salinger uses an oxymoron in this quote by Holden Caulfield, the narrator of the novel. Seeing these oxymoron examples used in the context of sentences may provide a better idea of how and why they're used. This contradiction is also known as a paradox. Even though the two words are often antonyms (words with opposite meanings), they don't negate each other. However, she lovingly anticipates seeing him again which is a pleasant feeling. Paul Fussell. . A crisis is defined as a time of serious difficulty or importance. [1][2] A general meaning of "contradiction in terms" is recorded by the 1902 edition of the Oxford English Dictionary. From 5th century Latin oxymoron, from Ancient Greek (oxus, "sharp") (English oxy-, as in oxygen) + (mros, "dull") (English moron ("stupid person")).Literally "sharp-dull", itself an oxymoron, hence autological; compare sophomore (literally "wise fool"), influenced by similar analysis.The compound form * (oxumron) is not found in the extant Greek . Now you can see that oxymorons add humor or drama to speech or writing, allowing you to make a funny or pointed remark. But pairing it with deafening gives silence a very distinct meaning, comparing it to a loud noise that draws extra attention. Katie McCabe, TimeOut London, 20 Apr. This contradiction is also known as aparadox. The best oxymorons emphasize contrasts, incongruities or the complex nature of reality. According to Dictionary, the word oxymoron has been used since the 17th century and comes from the New Latin and Late Latin oxymorum, which stems from the presumed Greek oxmron and Greek oxumron which is the neuter of oxmros/oxumros and equivalent to ox, then added to the suffix mrs. Too many uses of oxymoron can be either distracting or tedious for the reader. Here are some examples of oxymoron that may be found in everyday expression: insertListLink('', 2, 2, 'shortexamples'). As a rhetorical device, an oxymoron illustrates a point to communicate and reveal a paradox. Oxymoron is an effective literary device. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. 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. One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More | Merriam-Webster Est. "with the hinder part before", compare hysteron proteron, "upside-down", "head over heels", "ass-backwards" etc. As shown by this list of 100 awfully good examples, oxymorons are also part of our everyday speech. The Greek expression "to oxymoron" refers, literally, to the "acutely mad". There are quite a few in just the first three letters. How to use each word. [23], Other examples include "honest politician", "act naturally", "affordable caviar" (1993),[24] "happily married" and "Microsoft Works" (2000).[25]. Who Are The Most Romantic Literary Figures of All Time? It might sound like a schoolyard insult, but it's not. Hopefully, this list of oxymora has helped you understand how this figure of speech is supposed to be used. You have been successfully subscribed to the Grammarly blog. An oxymoron can seem absurd yet make perfect sense at the same time. Superette might not strike you as the most obvious oxymoron. marekuliasz / iStock / Getty Images Plus. Privacy Policy. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Exactly! the word nascar is an oxymoron. "damn with faint praise" (Pope),[15] Not monosyllabic or one word, but I came upon an "oxymoron that isn't" in a book I am reading, The Pale King, David Foster Wallace (posthumous): "spectacularly dull."It turns out this phrase is pretty common. . "wise-foolish"). You'll find common figures of speech, plus references to works of classic and pop culture. Lederer (1990), in the spirit of "recreational linguistics", goes as far as to construct "logological oxymorons"[jargon] such as reading the word nook composed of "no" and "ok" or the surname Noyes as composed of "no" plus "yes", or far-fetched punning such as "divorce court", "U.S. Army Intelligence" or "press release". Writers and poets have used it for centuries as a literary device to describe life's inherent conflicts and incongruities. By extension, oxymorons deal with the contrast between the meanings of words, but paradoxes focus on the contrast between complete ideas. Learn a new word every day. An oxymoron is a figure of speech where two terms seem contradictory. However, with an oxymoron the incongruous word pairing conveys a truth or a dramatic result. Grammarly helps you communicate confidently. However, as there are so many, you might not catch them all. doug lamborn voting record June 23, 2022 the word nascar is an oxymoron That might be a bit of an exaggeration, but there are certainly more than just a few. Oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines two normally contradictory terms think "deafening silence," "wise fool" or "cruel kindness.". These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'oxymoron.' Listing of antonyms, such as "good and evil", "male and female", "great and small", etc., does not create oxymorons, as it is not implied that any given object has the two opposing properties simultaneously. cabarrus county sheriff's office directory . Learn a new word every day. the word nascar is an oxymoron mars 15, 2021 by 0 Comments 0 View. An oxymoron is a phrase made of two or more words that actually have opposite meanings. In speech, oxymorons can lend a sense of humor, irony, or sarcasm. William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet. Also, this oxymoron is ironic in the context of a poem in which a funeral is the subject. Oxymoron can enhance drama in writing. As with other rhetorical devices, oxymorons are used for a variety of purposes. An oxymoron is an opposition between a term and the qualification that is given it, or between two qualities attributed to a single term, or between the simultaneous denial and assertion of the same fact or concept. However, liar has negative connotations, as in someone who is untruthful or deceptive. 2023. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free! This five puzzle package is a collection of the five puzzles that I've written on the palindrome, the oxymoron, and the onomatopoeia figures of speech. the word nascar is an oxymoron.

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