However, you may come across many such examples that need verbal interpretations and deep understanding. Oxymoron. Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oxymoron. cabarrus county sheriff's office directory . Here are some examples of oxymoron phrases in well-known literary works, along with how they add to interpretation: Good night, good night! The word is said to be originated from the Greek words, oxy, meaning 'sharp, pointed . Despite the similarities, however, oxymorons and paradoxes are two different types of literary devices, each with their own special usage. Sometimes they're used to create a little bit of drama for the reader; sometimes they're used to make a person stop and think, whether that's to laugh or to wonder. Generally, an oxymoron phrase is a . Oxymorons can be clearly confusing (see what we did there? Posted at 14:06h in does jetblue have power outlets by white stuff on frozen chicken. What Is an Oxymoron? - The Habitat An Oxymoron is a combination of contradictory or incongruous words, such as 'Cruel Kindness' or 'Jumbo Shrimp' Quotes tagged as "oxymoron" Showing 1-30 of 30. That makes oxymorons a serious option in word choice. What Is the Figure of Speech Antiphrasis? Sign up to receive the latest and greatest articles from our site automatically each week (give or take)right to your inbox. A common oxymoron example is "bittersweet"the two root words, bitter and sweet, are inherently contradictory. The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points, How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer. Nothing else. An Oxymoron is two words, or a compound word, with contradictory definitions. Oxymoron can enhance drama in writing. "conventionally unconventional", "tortuous spontaneity" (Henry James)[17] it is itself an example of an oxymoron. The term "oxymoron" is itself an oxymoron as it derives from the Greek "oxus" (sharp) and "moros" (stupid). The Literary Technique of Oxymoron in Poetry - Owlcation Heres a tip: Want to make sure your writing shines? NASCAR Whelen Mod Tour Team Owner David Hill Apologetic Over Racial "100 Awfully Good Examples of Oxymorons." Don't be surprised if none of them want the spotl One goose, two geese. Oxymoron Quotes. "100 Awfully Good Examples of Oxymorons." Change is the only constant - antithesis or oxymoron? 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. Oxymorons are often used poetically as a way of bringing out a fresh meaning in a word or phrase. RELATED: Palindrome Examples: Words and Phrases That Are the Same Backwards and Forwards, RELATED: The Most Confusing Rules in the Grammar World, RELATED:The Best-Ever Hyperbole Examples, RELATED: Pangram Examples Every Word Lover Will Appreciate. Copyright Penlighten & Buzzle.com, Inc. Rather, an oxymoron is a cool literary device you can use in your creative writing. However, the terms are also complementary as a pair. Some oxymorons are accidental and/or so common in our speech that we dont realize that theyre totally contradictory. 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. 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. An oxymoron is a self-contradicting word or group of words (as in Shakespeare's line from Romeo and Juliet, "Why, then, O brawling love! Why use phrases that don't seem to make logical sense? It comes from the Greek words osks, meaning sharp or keen, and mors meaning dull or foolish. . On its own silence is fairly neutralit can be calm or tense, depending on the context. 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. Paul Fussell. 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. Here's an example of paradox from George Orwell's Animal Farm: In other words, oxymorons are contradictive words or phrases used intentionally to create an effect. The sentences in this section feature oxymorons from the list above. [22], Similarly, the term "civil war" is sometimes jokingly referred to as an "oxymoron" (punning on the lexical meanings of the word "civil"). Rowdy, a new documentary on Amazon Freevee, tells the story of NASCAR driver Kyle Busch's life and career, largely focused on his chase for the 2015 Cup Series Championship. Oxymoron | literature | Britannica Like other kinds of figurative language, oxymorons (or oxymora) are often found in literature. Oxymorons are often confused with paradoxesafter all, both are textbook contradictions of terms. "damn with faint praise" (Pope),[15] $8.95. 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 Home Uncategorized the word nascar is an oxymoron. 100 Awfully Good Examples of Oxymorons - ThoughtCo Oxymoron: Definition, Meaning & Examples | StudySmarter The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points, How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer, Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests. oxymoron - definition and meaning 1, 'Cattywampus' and Other Funny-Sounding Words. They can enhance writing and communication in a variety of ways, including by adding dramatic effect. The word combines two of the five taste sensations, the others being salty, sour, and savory (umami). ThoughtCo, Feb. 16, 2021, thoughtco.com/awfully-good-examples-of-oxymorons-1691814. Consider the common oxymorons and think about times they may have been included in conversations you have had. William Shakespeare was known to sprinkle them throughout his plays, poems, and sonnets. Nordquist, Richard. An oxymoronis a figure of speech, usually one or two words, in which seemingly contradictory terms appear side by side. There is nothing really contradictory about jumbo shrimp, for examplea shrimp is a crustacean that comes in a variety of sizes and happens to have another sense meaning a small thing. Others, such as guest host or plastic glass, depend on how much credence you give to the idea of their components being opposites. Urban Dictionary: Oxymoron It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. The pairing of contradictory terms grabs attention, generates surprise, and creates an impression. One example of this is when Oscar Wilde comically reflected on the fact that he "can resist anything, except temptation.". OXYMORON | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary Combining the idea of before and after leads to a word that describes something that makes so little sense that it leaves you shaking your head. Shellfish. Our word piano, referring to the instrument, is short for pianoforte; the full Italian name of the instrument is gravicembalo col piano e forteliterally, harpsichord with soft and loud, due to the fact that its tones could be varied in loudness. 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". A simpler meaning would be that, it is a set of consecutive words that express conflicting meanings. There are oxymorons throughout the alphabet, from "a" to "z." All rights reserved. Oxymoron - Definition and Examples | LitCharts It might sound like a schoolyard insult, but its not. Want to learn more about figures of speech, besides oxymorons and paradoxes? The dictionary defines an oxymoron as a "wittily paradoxical turn of phrase that appeals to 'unconscious responses' instead of rational examinations". One of the most famous examples of the use of oxymorons is the following speech by Romeo from William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet: Learn more. The defining characteristic of an oxymoron is combining words or phrases that have opposite meanings. Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here: PrepScholar 2013-2018. Oxymorons are a favorite literary device of poets, particularly when they express complex feelings such as love and desire. One example of a paradox is the following conflicting idea. Also, they often lead the reader to an underlying truth. Oxymoron is a figure of speech pairing two words together that are opposing and/or contradictory. Alfred, Lord Tennyson, "Lancelot and Elaine" inIdylls of the King. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. [1][2] A general meaning of "contradiction in terms" is recorded by the 1902 edition of the Oxford English Dictionary. Feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire, sick health! One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More - Merriam-Webster However, with applied thought, paradoxes make sense. Paired together, however, they create a deeper meaning. All Rights Reserved. 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." Is oxymoronic a word? Lets get this one out of the way. no longer a productive compound in English, but loaned as a compound from a different language), as with pre-posterous (lit. Check out the oxymoron definition. tautology, noun : needless or meaningless repetition in close succession of an idea, statement, or word. 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). Oxymoron Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster The Latin praeposterus literally means in the wrong order. The prefix prae- means in front of, before, and posterus means following or behind (as in posterior). 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. parting is such sweet sorrow. She feels sadness knowing she must say good night to Romeo. A Comprehensive Guide. However, others can be intentional: For instance, in the phrase deafening silence, the seeming contradiction only serves to emphasize the intensity of the silence. ), so this article explains everything you need to know. 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. He enjoyed writing things that weren't meant to be taken literally, simply pondered upon. 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_13',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_14',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}. 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. How to use each word. Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about oxymoron. situs link alternatif kamislot the word nascar is an oxymoron Without, or with, offence to friends or foes. That makes oxymorons a serious option in, is fairly neutralit can be calm or tense, depending on the context. 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. In speech, oxymorons can lend a sense of humor, irony, or sarcasm. 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 . the word nascar is an oxymoron - kamislots.com An oxymoron is a combination of words, typically just two words, with contradictory meanings. An oxymoron is a literary device combining oppositional words to create a unique word or phrase. Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come. O loving hate! Need more help with this topic? Oxymorons are often used poetically as a way of bringing out a fresh meaning in a word or phrase. A paradox is a statement that technically contradicts itself but remains true nonetheless. Grammarly helps you communicate confidently. How to understand - and use - English oxymorons A spendthrift, thereore, is a person who foolishly squanders those savings. by | Jun 10, 2022 | flying saucer bar locations | metro flexline service manual | Jun 10, 2022 | flying saucer bar locations | metro flexline service manual J. R. R. Tolkien interpreted his own surname as derived from the Low German equivalent of dull-keen (High German toll-khn) which would be a literal equivalent of Greek oxy-moron. Many oxymora are simple to understand and interpret their hidden meaning. 1828 Words at Play Internal Conflict: The One-Word Oxymoron When a single word contains two conflicting ideas. Privacy Policy. 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. 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. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. jumbo shrimp - Oxymoron List and Thenyou'll need to knowwhat to expect on exam day, including what kinds of questions you'll be asked and how much time you'll have. Late Greek oxymron, from neuter of oxymros pointedly foolish, from Greek oxys sharp, keen + mros foolish. As a rhetorical device, an oxymoron illustrates a point to communicate and reveal a paradox. When you're ready to graduate from oxymorons to symbolism, enjoy these examples of symbolism in literature. These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'oxymoron.' The word "oxymoron" is itself an 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. The audience was a failure. As a rhetorical device, an oxymoron illustrates a point to communicate and reveal a paradox. Together, these words indicate that Holden takes pride in how adept he is at lyinga behavior that is generally associated with indignity. tags: independent-thought , initiative , oxymoron , paradox. oxymoron, a word or group of words that is self-contradicting, as in bittersweet or plastic glass. However, as there are so many, you might not catch them all. Nordquist, Richard. However, she lovingly anticipates seeing him again which is a pleasant feeling. Oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines two normally contradictory terms think "deafening silence," "wise fool" or "cruel kindness.". Superette might not strike you as the most obvious oxymoron. The best oxymorons emphasize contrasts, incongruities or the complex nature of reality. Is it starting to seem like there is an unlimited supply of oxymorons in the English language? This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Seeing these oxymoron examples used in the context of sentences may provide a better idea of how and why they're used. Are you still searching for the perfect oxymoron? "wise-foolish"). Yes. 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. Oxymorons also feature in modern comedy and politics. "[21], Examples popularized by comedian George Carlin in 1975 include "military intelligence" (a play on the lexical meanings of the term "intelligence", implying that "military" inherently excludes the presence of "intelligence") and "business ethics" (similarly implying that the mutual exclusion of the two terms is evident or commonly understood rather than the partisan anti-corporate position). Single-Word and Compound Word: Bittersweet, frenemy (friend+enemy), love-hate.Adjective + Noun: Sweet sorrow (made famous by William . One moose, two moose. 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? To save this word, you'll need to log in. If you're calling someone a "shrimp" meaning small or little, and then adding the adjective "jumbo," THEN it's an oxymoron. 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). With loads of learned lumber in his head . juni 14, 2022; Posted by synology broadcast storm; 14 . Think jumbo shrimp. William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, A damned saint, an honorable villain! to compound the power behind certain words. I want to receive exclusive email updates from YourDictionary. Oxymorons are not meant to be taken literally. Jane Austen, Emma, 1815. , oxymorons have a few different purposes in writing, all of which are quite useful in the right situation: Oxymorons tend to have deeper meanings and be more memorable than noncontradictory words, so they work great at key points in your writing for boosting reader engagement. Taken to its logical conclusion, this emphasis on the fragmentation of the body politic makes postmodern feminism an, He calls himself a "bleeding-heart conservative," and that, As the war went on, "precision bombing" became a comical, While putting those two words together is seemingly an, The riff-laden metal song may be the best-sounding Nickelback song in years and no, that is not an, For many parents, teenager communication skills is an, Affordable fine jewelry may sound like an, But the Clippers just didnt get enough Sunday, the, Consciousness without content strikes me as a contradiction, an, Once it was established that high-performance SUVs were not an, Post the Definition of oxymoron to Facebook, Share the Definition of oxymoron on Twitter.