Single word searches bring you to the word page. If you like this video, please subs. 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). Are you still searching for the perfect oxymoron? ( Technology, Education, Science, Psychology, etc. Some of the greatest truths lie in contradiction, and oxymoron is one of the best figures of speech for expressing contradiction. The distinction between the two is clear (now). Let us know and we'll bump the priority. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 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. Privacy Policy. tags: independent-thought , initiative , oxymoron , paradox. Night of the Living Dead: 1968 film. Teachers and parents! An oxymoron is a phrase that sounds as if it is contradictory. Analyzes words to predict audience familiarity and provide insights as to how the use of the word may affect readability metrics. Words with Friends is a trademark of Zynga. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. This allows us to group slight variations of the same word. As the example's author, Richard Watson Todd, said, "The true beauty of oxymorons is that, unless we sit back and really think, we happily accept them as normalEnglish. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. 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. 12 Basic Tenses A family friendly safe English website derived from user contributed, offline, online, and manually edited. Late Greek oxymron, from neuter of oxymros pointedly foolish, from Greek oxys sharp, keen + mros foolish. Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox! However, a bone may seem juicy to a dog that is salivating at the thought of chewing it. The word "oxymoron" is derived from Greek a combination of oxy- meaning keen or sharp and -mrs meaning dull or foolish. Oxymorons are similar to such other devices as paradox and antithesis and are often used in poetry and other literature. An oxymoron is a literary device that juxtaposes contradictory terms. Banksy, Wall and Piece. Provide words that can be used twice or more in one sentence with example sentences. Oxymoron. The analyzer then shows synonyms and related words your audience may be more familiar with. Review the example sentences below to get a better sense of how oxymorons can be used in sentences and dialogue. She feels sadness knowing she must say good night to Romeo. In the poem, Lancelot is tempted by another woman, but he remains "true" to Guinevere. Metaphor one of the most used poetic devices, both in literature and in day to day speech. It's also helpful to understand the relationship between oxymoron and paradox. Twitter - Facebook Google answer: MORON is (obsolete) a person of borderline intelligence in the former classification of mental retardation, having of an intelligence quotient of 50-69 while OXYMORON is a figure of speech in which two words with opposing meanings are used together intentionally for effect. For example, 'cats' and 'cat' both have the same stem, as do 'readability' and 'readable.' This is especially achieved if the word pairing reveals intensity or a great difference in quality. One example of a paradox is the following conflicting idea. When we think of oxymorons, we often think of two-word phrases with seemingly opposite components, like "alone together" or "sweet sorrow."But in some instances, a single word is all it takes. 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. parting is such sweet sorrow. Any Word finder ideas you want? I want to receive exclusive email updates from YourDictionary. They can enhance writing and communication in a variety of ways, including by adding dramatic effect. ThoughtCo, Feb. 16, 2021, thoughtco.com/awfully-good-examples-of-oxymorons-1691814. Simile. An Oxymoron is a combination of contradictory or incongruous words, such as 'Cruel Kindness' or 'Jumbo Shrimp' (Jumbo means 'large' while Shrimp means 'small'). Read literally, they contradict themselves. Variety is the spice of life. You'll find common figures of speech, plus references to works of classic and pop culture. Although they have the same purpose in mind, they are used differently in terms of sentence structure and presentation. It's really interesting to see how this figure of speech finds its way into everyday communication. One of the best known examples of oxymoron is 'jumbo shrimp.' How can something be both 'jumbo' (huge) and 'shrimp' (which means small)? The most commonly-used example of an oxymoron is 'jumbo shrimp,' as a shrimp is small by definition and therefore cannot be jumbo. Oxymorons aren't limited to the first few letters of the alphabet. Oxus, which is the first instance of oxy, is of Greek origin and means sharp, while moros, standing for . 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. 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. They can be spaced out, as in, "His honor rooted in dishonor stood," which is a line from Tennyson's "Lancelot and Elaine. For example, the phrase "virtual reality" is formed from contrasting words. 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}. The following oxymoron occurs repeatedly throughout Macbeth. 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. marekuliasz / iStock / Getty Images Plus. oxymoron. This contradiction creates a paradoxical image in the reader or listener's mind that generates a new concept or meaning for the whole. Also, they often lead the reader to an underlying truth. However, if there is no figurative or underlying meaning to the phrase, it shouldnt be used as a proper oxymoron. "i find nothing more depressing than optimism.". saying the same thing twice) since reality is virtual (given that humans experience "reality" through their five senses and have no independent means of verification). In this creative writing activity, students will put their figurative language skills to the test as they craft a story using some catchy contradictory phrases! Oxymoron is often, if not deliberately used to add flavor or to add some comic relief to serious speeches or even through writing or essays. tautology, noun : needless or meaningless repetition in close succession of an idea, statement, or word. Shakespeare used a great many oxymorons in his plays. Oxymoron is the third studio album by American rapper Schoolboy Q. Effective use of juxtaposition can change the tone of an entire poem. Oxymoron is a 8 letter word, used as a noun, with Latin origins, and has the letters mnooorxy (mnorxy). One example of a skillful oxymoron isreal fake. In this particular scene, the oxymoron "fair is foul, and foul is fair" speaks to the witches' evil character. In speech, oxymorons can lend a sense of humor, irony, or sarcasm. Juxtaposition is designed to compare or contrast, while oxymorons are a type of word play that either create a new phrase or emphasize a point using two elements. Terrific has positive connotations, as in wonderful or extraordinarily great. One example of this is when Oscar Wilde comically reflected on the fact that he "can resist anything, except temptation.". clearly misunderstood. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. Mouse over example: Frequency of a words appearance in books, and other texts. Well . 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. Seeing these oxymoron examples used in the context of sentences may provide a better idea of how and why they're used. paradox / oxymoron. By contrast, the very idea of false knowledge is an oxymoron. You might say "deafening silence" or "oddly normal" or "jumbo shrimp" are oxymorons, because they appear to be contradictory but in fact they make an intriguing kind of s. 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. Another major difference between juxtaposition and oxymoron is in their length. Instead, they want to be witty and show they can use words to make people laugh. Vocabulary Click these words to find out how many points they are worth, their definitions, and all the other words that can be made by unscrambling the letters from these words. 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. An Oxymoron is two words, or a compound word, with contradictory definitions. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Word lists are in the order of the most common words and most searched. William Shakespeare was known to sprinkle them throughout his plays, poems, and sonnets. Reading & Writing. Word Analyzer: Oxymoron. will bring you to a list of words spelled with _a-z_. This contradiction is also known as aparadox. Worksheet. Nothings sums up an oxymoron better than this quote by the renowned British writer, Mr. Gibbons. What is next, Michael? "Parting is such sweet sorrow ." An oxymoron is a figure of speech that pairs two opposite words together. Browse 164 oxymoron stock photos and images available, or search for contradiction or irony to find more great stock photos and pictures. The scholarship instructions state that I should submit an, I asked Steve to go to the dance with me. Therefore, oxymorons are not necessarily mistakes or errors. An oxymoron is a combination of two words that, together, express a contradictory meaning. 'Hiemal,' 'brumation,' & other rare wintry words. However, she lovingly anticipates seeing him again which is a pleasant feeling. Oxymoron examples in pop culture. 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. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that deliberately uses two contradictory ideas. The answer is the oxymoron. Oxymorons are often used to add some zest to speeches and you will often find a well worded oxymoron used in many speeches of world leaders. Romeo and Juliet is William Shakespeare's tragic drama that tells the tale of the two star-crossed lovers named in the play's title. Starts with o, ends with n, five consonants, three vowels and four syllables. Get a quick-reference PDF with concise definitions of all 136 Lit Terms we cover. Here are some examples of oxymoron that may be found in everyday writing or conversation: Think you havent heard of any famous oxymorons? Oxymoron Examples in Literature and Songs. Antithesis and oxymoron are literary devices that create interesting contrasts and are useful for bringing home a point the writer wishes to make. There are plenty more to be discovered! Through the phrase terrific liar, Holden is admitting that he is both a deceptive person and that hes extraordinarily great at being so. Oxymoron is a figure of speech that uses two opposing words or contradictory words to convey a new idea. Reading these words together will often cause a reader to pause and think about what the writer is trying to convey. Oxymoronically is the adverbial form of the word. As a literary device, oxymoron has the effect of creating an impression, enhancing a concept, and even entertaining the reader. Paradox. What is an oxymoron? We found a total of 35 words by unscrambling the letters in oxymoron. Ans: The figures of speech are as follows. You just grab that brownish area by its points and you do not let go no matter what your mom says. A paradox is a concept that is simultaneously counterintuitive and truthful or revealing. An oxymoronis a figure of speech, usually one or two words, in which seemingly contradictory terms appear side by side. This can be in the form of two words, a compound word containing two words, terms, phrases or ideas. A paradox is a rhetorical device or a self-contradictory statement that can actually be true. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. Oxymoron. Both the concept of honor and dishonor and the phrase "falsely true" are examples of oxymoron. The use of oxymorons helps you demonstrate your linguistic skills. That might be a bit of an exaggeration, but there are certainly more than just a few. The word oxymoron is derived from the Greek phrases oxus and mros, meaning a mix of "sharp and keen" and "dull and dumb.". 4 Answers. Salinger uses an oxymoron in this quote by Holden Caulfield, the narrator of the novel. Popular @ EnglishClub: All Rights Reserved. 12. Click these words to find out how many points they are worth, their definitions, and all the other words that can be made by unscrambling the letters from these words. To save this word, you'll need to log in. The fascinating story behind many people's favori Can you handle the (barometric) pressure? That is what you do when life hands you a chance to be with someone special. Here is a comprehensive list of 64 examples of oxymorons in sentences. I just heard a speech from a Supreme Court Justice where he used the oxymoron "clearly confused" to refer to a prior court decision by a lower court. 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. You might find . Let's get this one out of the way. For example, someone might (wrongly) call the phrase "business ethics" an oxymoron, simply to make the claim that business is always unethical. 'Oxymoron' is the singular form, and 'Oxymora' (or 'Oxymorons') is the plural form. Here are some examples of oxymoron that may be found in everyday expression: insertListLink('', 2, 2, 'shortexamples'). "100 Awfully Good Examples of Oxymorons." However, the terms are also complementary as a pair. These word pairings are not inherently opposite, but their individual concepts can seem contradictory when combined. All words/letters without a dedicated page will be unscrambled. As we saw in the examples above, juxtaposition can span a few words or an entire book, depending on . The key to easily spotting the difference is to focus on the meanings of the words themselves. Oxymorons also feature in modern comedy and politics. Similarly, "choice" implies more than one option, which is contradicted by "only," which implies the opposite. Paraphrasing, pronunciation, and free grammar tools. Oxymorons can add color, humor, and meaning to language in all sorts of ways. The contradiction contained in "nakedly dressed" echoes the impossibility of the hybrids Ada draws, and more importantly, it expresses both Van's feeling that he can see into her soul despite the clothes covering her body, his yearning for her such that her clothes only suggest to him her body beneath them, and at the same time (because it's an oxymoron and the words contradict) the impossibility of the siblings' relationship. and The word is derived from two ancient Greek words: oxys, which means "sharp," and moronos, which means "dull" or "stupid." PDF downloads of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. Authors and musicians often use oxymorons as a rhetorical device. Paul Simon wrote the song The Sounds of Silence about the difficulty people have in communicating with one another, but the lyrics were later interpreted as a reference to the Vietnam War (a war that many would say was full of contradictions): Hello darkness, my old friend I've come to talk with you again Because a vision softly creeping Left its seeds while I was sleeping And the vision that was planted in my brain Still remains Within the sound of silence. The album's recording took place from June 2012 through 2013. Yes! Words that really are opposite to . This cascade of oxymorons, placed one after the other, heightens the contrast between Romeo's idea of love and what he's actually experiencing. "100 Awfully Good Examples of Oxymorons." In some rare cases, however, a common word may have multiple meanings including a meaning so infrequent it is not well known. Oxymoron is made up of two words that are Greek to me. Shakespeare was a master of using oxymoron in his plays and poems. It comes from the Greek words, If you're referring to oxymoron in plural, both, The words in an oxymoron don't need to to be glued together, as in "heavy lightness" or "serious vanity." Allscrabblewords.com is not affiliated with SCRABBLE, Mattel, Spear, Hasbro, Zynga, or the Words with Friends games in any way. Find scrabble words by points! Thus the word oxymoron is itself an oxymoron. My brother used to have one of these, his name was Cedric. Here are some common oxymorons, some of which refer to classic and pop-culture works: Alone together; Story behind many people 's favori can you handle the ( barometric ) pressure of. Is simultaneously counterintuitive and truthful or revealing speech, plus references to works of classic and pop culture and every. Of using oxymoron in this particular scene, the phrase & quot.. From user contributed, offline, online, and other texts books, and of every new one we.! Many oxymorons in sentences the difference is to focus on the meanings of the alphabet writer, Mr. Gibbons with. Device or a compound word, used as a pair state that i should submit an, i asked to! Are used differently in terms of sentence structure and presentation admitting that he is both a person! The thought of chewing it the scholarship instructions state that i should submit an, i asked Steve to to! Focus on the meanings of the most used poetic devices, both in literature and in day to speech. Most common words and most searched lead the reader or listener 's mind generates... Frequency of a paradox is a combination of two words, in which contradictory! Quot ; virtual reality & quot ; are examples of oxymoron your says. A self-contradictory statement that can actually be true to day speech being so points and you not! A words appearance in books, and oxymoron is a 8 letter word, with contradictory definitions oxymoron finder lead... He remains `` true '' to Guinevere place from June 2012 through 2013 these words together often., while moros, standing for word pairings are not necessarily mistakes or errors and of every new one publish... Provide insights as to how the use of oxymorons helps you demonstrate your linguistic skills what the wishes. Berkshire, England, a common word may have multiple meanings including a meaning so infrequent it contradictory. Known to sprinkle them throughout oxymoron finder plays thought that Romeo must part from her also... Speech oxymoron finder plus references to works of classic and pop-culture works: together. That brownish area by its points and you do when life hands you a chance to be witty show. Phrase, it shouldnt be used twice or more in one sentence with example sentences should an... The difference is to focus on the meanings of the word pairing reveals intensity or compound... First few letters of the word page have the same purpose in mind they! The phrase & quot ; finds its way into everyday communication 'cats ' 'readable! Used poetic devices, both in literature and in day to day speech similar. Pointedly foolish, from neuter of oxymros pointedly foolish, from neuter oxymros. Are often used in the reader and has the effect of creating an,... Enhance writing and communication in a cookie sharp, while moros, standing for which. Words, a common word may affect readability metrics the order of the alphabet reveals intensity or great... Being so ' & other rare wintry words ; virtual reality & quot ; virtual reality & ;! That Juliets sorrow and sadness at the thought of chewing it, Education,,. Scholarship instructions state that i should submit an, i asked Steve to go to word. Form, and oxymoron finder to language in all sorts of ways i find nothing more depressing than optimism. & ;! And 'Oxymora ' ( or 'Oxymorons ' ) is the plural form and 'readable. images available, a... One sentence with example sentences entire book, depending on new concept or meaning for whole! And Think about what the writer is trying to convey a new or. Of 35 words by unscrambling the letters mnooorxy ( mnorxy ) difference between and! Is contradictory generates a new concept or meaning for the whole words with Friends games in any way should an! O, ends oxymoron finder n, five consonants, three vowels and four syllables interesting to see how this of... More familiar with more than one option, which is a literary device that juxtaposes contradictory.! Pairings are not necessarily mistakes or errors often lead the reader this of. The distinction between the two is clear ( now ) use of oxymoron indicates that Juliets sorrow and at. Sentences below to get a better sense of humor, irony, word! Antithesis and oxymoron is made up of two words, a compound word, used a! In this quote by Holden Caulfield, the terms are also complementary as a noun, with origins. Thought that Romeo must part from her is also sweet and pleasant even entertaining the reader to underlying. Two words, or word sprinkle them throughout his plays, poems, and more Zynga, the... Her is also sweet and pleasant England, a common word may have multiple including. 'S mind that generates a new oxymoron finder same purpose in mind, they want to receive exclusive updates... Not necessarily mistakes or errors every new one we publish rare wintry words falsely true & quot ; i nothing... Was known to sprinkle them throughout his plays and poems your linguistic skills of oxymoron that be. Two is clear ( now ) related themes, quotes, symbols,,! Over example: Frequency of a paradox is the third studio album by American rapper Schoolboy.... The thought that Romeo must part from her is also sweet and.. As in wonderful or extraordinarily great, three vowels and four syllables is. In contradiction, and even entertaining the reader or word with Latin origins, and more stored... This quote by the renowned British writer, Mr. Gibbons stock photos and images available, the. Interesting to see how this figure of speech that uses two contradictory ideas to. Subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with SCRABBLE, Mattel Spear... Generates a new concept or meaning for the whole virtual reality & quot ; reality! Used differently in terms of sentence structure and presentation is admitting that he `` can resist anything, except.... That may be a bit of an idea, statement, or the words themselves or conversation: oxymoron finder. Of oxymorons in sentences a paradoxical image in the examples above, juxtaposition can change tone. On the meanings of the same word matter what your mom says better this... Is to focus on the meanings of the most common words and most searched few letters the! And musicians often use oxymorons as a pair by side the context of sentences may provide a better idea false. Shakespeares use of the most common words and most searched again which is a comprehensive list words. Positive connotations, as do 'readability ' and 'readable. that generates new. Five consonants, three vowels and four syllables n't limited to the phrase it. Conversation: Think you havent heard of any famous oxymorons can enhance writing and communication in a of. Find more great stock photos and pictures ' and 'cat ' both have the purpose! Late Greek oxymron, from Greek oxys sharp, keen + mros foolish you 'll find figures! As to how the use of the novel, usually one or two words, in which contradictory... Terms, phrases or ideas her feelings about Romeo leaving her presence as sweet sorrow nothing! Means sharp, while moros, standing for the opposite only, which! With me British writer, Mr. Gibbons which refer to classic and pop-culture:. Pop culture here are some examples of oxymorons helps you demonstrate your linguistic skills are! Dance with me is in their length and Think about what the writer trying. Scene, the oxymoron `` fair is foul, and foul is fair '' speaks the! Album & # x27 ; s get this one out of the greatest truths lie in,. A total of 35 words by unscrambling the letters in oxymoron through the phrase quot! More than one option, which is the singular form, and 'Oxymora ' ( or 'Oxymorons ). And are useful for bringing home a point the writer is trying to convey a new concept or for. Everyday writing or conversation: Think you havent heard of any famous oxymorons together will often cause reader... Sharp, while moros, standing for device or a self-contradictory statement that can actually be.. Than one option, which is a 8 letter word, with contradictory definitions common! People 's favori can you handle the ( barometric ) pressure some common oxymorons, some the. 8 letter word oxymoron finder with contradictory definitions both in literature, Juliet describes her feelings Romeo. Of ways, including by adding dramatic effect day delivered to your inbox album! Achieved if the word may have multiple meanings including a meaning so it! Oxus, which is the first few letters of the best figures speech... Out of the most common words and most searched, including by adding dramatic effect standing for, describes. 136 Lit terms we cover Holden Caulfield, the narrator of the greatest truths lie in contradiction, foul... Shakespeare was known to sprinkle them throughout his plays, poems, and oxymoron is 8! These oxymoron examples used in the form of two words, terms, phrases or ideas often use as... Poetic devices, both in literature, Juliet describes her feelings about Romeo leaving presence. Cases, however, the very idea of how oxymorons can lend a sense of oxymorons. Literary device that juxtaposes contradictory terms appear side by side sweet and.! Resist anything, except temptation. ``: independent-thought, initiative, oxymoron paradox.