An oxymoron is usually just two words (sometimes one, as in bittersweet), but a paradox is an entire statement, usually a standalone sentence or even a full, What is the difference between oxymoron and paradox?, A Guide to Using Plain Language in Writing. "100 Awfully Good Examples of Oxymorons." the word nascar is an oxymoron. n, -mor- / grammar a phrase or statement that seems to say two opposite things, as in " jumbo shrimp " and " agree to disagree " (Definition of oxymoron from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary Cambridge University Press) Examples of oxymoron oxymoron Like chiaroscuro, pianoforte is an Italian term used in the arts, combining the adjectives for soft and loud. The music direction forte-piano means loud then immediately soft.. Get Free Guides to Boost Your SAT/ACT Score, our in-depth guide to the 31 literary devices you must know. The distinction between the two is clear (now). Yet, original copy as an oxymoron commonly and figuratively means that the content of the copy is original. Late Greek oxymron, from neuter of oxymros pointedly foolish, from Greek oxys sharp, keen + mros foolish. Paired together, however, they create a deeper meaning. Im the most terrific liar you ever saw in your life. Oxymorons are an excellent, thought-provoking tool to use in writing, but they're certainly not the only device you should work with. [9] Such a phrase shows that an object can have two different qualities at once, making it a subject for study and analysis. All rights reserved. Oxymoron is a word that describes an expression of two contradictory thoughts, words, or phrases. Oxymorons also feature in modern comedy and politics. cabarrus county sheriff's office directory . Superette might not strike you as the most obvious oxymoron. ThoughtCo, Feb. 16, 2021, thoughtco.com/awfully-good-examples-of-oxymorons-1691814. One example of a skillful oxymoron isreal fake. This book, in which Wallace presents employees of the IRS and their spectacularly damaged lives, often dwells on the connection between tedium and pain. An Oxymoron is two words, or a compound word, with contradictory definitions. This combination of contrary or antithetical words is also known in conversation as a contradiction in terms. An oxymoron refers to a word, phrase, or use of language that seems to directly contradict itself, and it is. Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about oxymoron. Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. This stanza, from Lord Tennysons retelling of the tale of King Arthur, usesseveral oxymorons for poetic effect and as a way to emphasize the conundrum that Lancelot, Arthurs most loyal knight and friend, finds himself in. How to use each word. Also, this oxymoron is ironic in the context of a poem in which a funeral is the subject. it is itself an example of an oxymoron. Placing contrasting words next to each other makes each one stand out more, just like placing contrasting colors together. An oxymoron is a term for a figure of speech that is made up of two or more words that seem to be the opposite of each other or truly are opposite of each other. 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. Two involve the palindrome, two involve the oxymoron, and one involves onomatopoeia. Below, we provide you with an extensive list of oxymorons. (Hence you might buy vintage clothing for cheap at a thrift store.) An oxymoron is a consecutive set of words that have contradictory meanings. An oxymoron term is a literary figure of speech in which opposite or contradictory words, phrases, terms or ideas 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. to compound the power behind certain words. Oxymoronic is the adjectival form of oxymoron. These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'oxymoron.' This presents the word. [19], "Comical oxymoron" is a term for the claim, for comical effect, that a certain phrase or expression is an oxymoron (called "opinion oxymorons" by Lederer (1990)[9]). 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. Posted at 14:06h in does jetblue have power outlets by white stuff on frozen chicken. An oxymoronis a figure of speech, usually one or two words, in which seemingly contradictory terms appear side by side. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. ., And faith unfaithful kept him falsely true., The main difference between an oxymoron and a paradox is that, . Oxymoron phrases can be figuratively true, but not literally true. This phrase qualifies as an oxymoron because the words "same" and "difference" have opposite meanings. But once you become fluent in English, it's easy to recognize such oxymorons for the figures of speech that they are. Delivered to your inbox! https://www.thoughtco.com/awfully-good-examples-of-oxymorons-1691814 (accessed March 4, 2023). Consider these paradox examples: You have to spend money to make money. where do you file a complaint against a hospital; failure to pay full time and attention va code; bones angela and hodgins in jail; mirabella svadobny salon dubnica nad vahom josh brener commercial. Paradox is a literary device in which a statement or group of statements features initially contrasting ideas. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Their dramatic effect is much more powerful with sparing use. Old news is an everyday example of an oxymoron, as news is meant to be current. Bittersweet When we think of oxymorons, we often think of two-word phrases with seemingly opposite components, like "alone together" or "sweet sorrow." Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come. Oxymoron can be an excellent tool in creating humor for a reader. The fascinating story behind many people's favori Can you handle the (barometric) pressure? . Oxymoron. Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oxymoron. Alfred, Lord Tennyson, "Lancelot and Elaine" inIdylls of the King. The violent display ultimately led to thousands of deaths and injuries. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free! An oxymoron is a self-contradicting word or group of words (as in Shakespeares line from Romeo and Juliet, "Why, then, O brawling love! Oxymoron, , Acutifatuum aut stulte acutum, subtilly foolish; derived from , [oxy] acumen, sharpnesse of wit, and , [moros] stultus, a fool. However, a bone may seem juicy to a dog that is salivating at the thought of chewing it. Want to learn more about figures of speech, besides oxymorons and paradoxes? But in some instances, a single word is all it takes. 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! However, you may come across many such examples that need verbal interpretations and deep understanding. Instead, they want to be witty and show they can use words to make people laugh. One example of this is when Oscar Wilde comically reflected on the fact that he "can resist anything, except temptation.". Check out the oxymoron definition. tags: independent-thought , initiative , oxymoron , paradox. They also occasionally work well with. and Learn a new word every day. "i find nothing more depressing than optimism.". For nearly 40 years . From 2013 to 2015, she taught English in Japan via the JET Program. Well provide oxymoron examples and provide guidance on how theyre used, but first, lets look at a more thorough oxymoron definition. Get the latest articles and test prep tips! Here are some well-known and recognizable examples of this figure of speech: People are often confused by the difference between oxymoron and paradox. This is an oxymoron because all babies are small. 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. For example, in Chinese, compounds like (man and woman, male and female, gender), (yin and yang), (good and evil, morality) are used to indicate couples, ranges, or the trait that these are extremes of. She feels sadness knowing she must say good night to Romeo. Home Uncategorized the word nascar is an oxymoron. ), so this article explains everything you need to know. They're not always small, and the word doesn't mean small in this sense. 'Hiemal,' 'brumation,' & other rare wintry words. This statement made by Holden reveals the level of complexity and impact an oxymoron can have as a literary device when it comes to interpretation. "faith unfaithful", "falsely true" (Tennyson),[16] The common oxymoron phrase is a combination of an adjective followed by a noun with contrasting meanings. 11 October 1975. Still-waking sleep, that is not what it is! O heavy lightness, serious vanity! You might say that they juxtapose each other, which means, when placed close together, they create an. However, the terms are also complementary as a pair. Sign up to receive the latest and greatest articles from our site automatically each week (give or take)right to your inbox. She is passionate about education, writing, and travel. Oxymorons can be clearly confusing (see what we did there? That might be a bit of an exaggeration, but there are certainly more than just a few. 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. It even proofreads your text, so your work is extra polished wherever you write. Review the example sentences below to get a better sense of how oxymorons can be used in sentences and dialogue. This excerpt from Irish poet William Butler Yeats famous poem "Easter 1916" has the prominent oxymoron "terrible beauty," which is repeated again at the end of the poem. Value Added Publishing. )[10] or sopho-more (an artificial Greek compound, lit. Why use phrases that don't seem to make logical sense? One of the most famous examples of the use of oxymorons is the following speech by Romeo from William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet: Oxymoron is a figure of speech pairing two words together that are opposing and/or contradictory. the word nascar is an oxymoron. Heres a tip: Want to make sure your writing shines? These cookies do not store any personal information. And then an interesting thing happens with superette. Oftentimes a phrase cited as an example of an oxymoron is really just a play on words. For example, if a character receives apainful smile,this creates a significant dramatic effect. that juxtaposes contradictory terms. Oxymoron of the Day Favorite Oxymoron Terms Calm Storm (Science) Casual Chic (Fashion) Cat fish (Science) Chili (Food) William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, O brawling love! There are a number of single-word oxymorons built from "dependent morphemes"[9] (i.e. But pairing it with, a very distinct meaning, comparing it to a loud noise that draws extra attention. Shellfish. 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). 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. These word pairs, though actually opposite in meaning, are put together so that the meaning that they are trying to put forward is emphasized. 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. 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, It involves pairing words that imply different ideas or meanings next to each other to create a deeper meaning in the context. Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub.PrepScholar.com, allow you to interact with your peers and the PrepScholar staff. For example, oxymoron phrases such as marital bliss, military intelligence,andbusiness ethics,depending on how they are used as figures of speech, can be effective literary devices to indicate irony. However, others can be intentional: For instance, in the phrase deafening silence, the seeming contradiction only serves to emphasize the intensity of the silence. 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. An oxymoron is a figure of speech containing words that seem to contradict each other. . 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. It takes that remaining super- prefix from supermarket and then replaces market with the diminutive suffix -ette (as found in words like kitchenette or featurette). Reading these words together will often cause a reader to pause and think about what the writer is trying to convey. William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, A damned saint, an honorable villain! In speech, oxymorons can lend a sense of humor, irony, or sarcasm. It is often composed of an adjective and a noun that are not usually seen together, juxtaposed in a startling way. 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). Terrific has positive connotations, as in wonderful or extraordinarily great. It starts with super, which it gets from supermarket. Oxymorons aren't limited to the first few letters of the alphabet. Through the phrase terrific liar, Holden is admitting that he is both a deceptive person and that hes extraordinarily great at being so. [1][2] A general meaning of "contradiction in terms" is recorded by the 1902 edition of the Oxford English Dictionary. Here's an example of paradox from George Orwell's Animal Farm: There are some well-known phrases and quotations that make use of oxymorons. Meghan Jones is a word nerd who has been writing for RD.com since 2017. 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. Grammarly helps you communicate confidently. My Blog the word nascar is an oxymoron ThoughtCo. 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. Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox! It might sound like a schoolyard insult, but its not. 100 Awfully Good Examples of Oxymorons. Often, you come across words that are paired together, but maybe completely contradictory in meaning. Single-Word and Compound Word: Bittersweet, frenemy (friend+enemy), love-hate.Adjective + Noun: Sweet sorrow (made famous by William . by William Shakespeare, wherein combining things that contrast is an ongoing theme.) We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Sometimes people aren't trying to make a profound statement when they use oxymorons. Like a paradox, an oxymoron is whats known as a contradiction in terms, although oxymorons and paradoxes are two different things, as explained below. Well provide oxymoron examples and provide guidance on how theyre used, but first, lets look at a more thorough oxymoron definition. parting is such sweet sorrow. If you're learning English as a second language, you might be confused by these figures of speech. Slow and steady wins the race. Without, or with, offence to friends or foes. The word is said to be originated from the Greek words, oxy, meaning sharp, pointed and moron, moros that meant dull or foolish. Also, they often lead the reader to an underlying truth. "hateful good" (Chaucer, translating odibile bonum)[12] Oxymoronically is the adverbial form of the word. 4 Answers. Common examples of oxymorons include cruel kindness, open secret, and jumbo shrimp . Similarly, "choice" implies more than one option, which is contradicted by "only," which implies the opposite. the word nascar is an oxymoronhow to check how many warnings you have on roblox. 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. However, the explicit advertisement of the use of oxymorons opened up a sliding scale of less than obvious construction, ending in the "opinion oxymorons" such as "business ethics". Jane Austen, Emma, 1815. And faith unfaithful kept him falsely true. As shown by this list of 100 awfully good examples, oxymorons are also part of our everyday speech. For some of these examples, the oxymorons are linked to two phrases within the sentence rather than a single phrase. Delivered to your inbox! Thus, as the oxymoron suggests, this scene ishappy since Juliet and Romeo are in love, yet it's also sad because they must say goodbyeand cannot stay together through the night. When someone says a phrase such as "clearly confused," the speaker is finding a new way to describe that individual or object. When you're ready to graduate from oxymorons to symbolism, enjoy these examples of symbolism in literature. Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Idylls of the King, Parting is such sweet sorrow. An oxymoron is a figure of speech where two terms seem contradictory. 6789 Quail Hill Pkwy, Suite 211 Irvine CA 92603. ), so this article explains everything you need to know. The inherent setup of contradictory words works great for jokes and other witty statements. Well also provide you with an extensive list of oxymoronsso you can get a better feel for what oxymorons look and sound like. When we learn about oxymorons, bittersweet is often one of the first words given as an example. Is it starting to seem like there is an unlimited supply of oxymorons in the English language? A person who is thrifty does not like to spend money. Paul Fussell. Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here: PrepScholar 2013-2018. Alexander Pope, An Essay on Criticism, Of melancholy merriment, to quote. the word nascar is an oxymoron. Season 1, Episode 1. Oxymoron is also a literary device, but is considered a condensed paradox. Nothing else. One moose, two moose. your text, so your work is extra polished wherever you write. It may seem illogical or unrealistic, but, upon reflection, its based in reality and stems from valid reasoning. 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. - 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! Oxymoron is a figure of speech pairing two words together that are opposing and/or contradictory. Oxymorons are a favorite literary device of poets, particularly when they express complex feelings such as love and desire. 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. The dictionary defines an oxymoron as a "wittily paradoxical turn of phrase that appeals to 'unconscious responses' instead of rational examinations". One classic example of the use of oxymorons in English literature can be found in this example from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, where Romeo strings together thirteen in a row: O brawling love! An oxymoron refers to a word, phrase, or use of language that seems to directly contradict itself, and it is believed to come from the Greek ox(s), sharp, andmrs, dull. So the word for oxymoron actuallyisan oxymoron in Greek! Indeed, oxymorons are often used to make fun of an idea, person, or . I want to receive exclusive email updates from YourDictionary. 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. By that measure, no crisis is unimportant or minor. That makes oxymorons a serious option in word choice. Oxymoron is an effective literary device. Note: All bold emphasis in the following quotations is my own. PDF. Figure of Speech: Definition and Examples, Definition and Examples of Irony (Figure of Speech). The scope of oxymorons, however, is limited only to the scope of the individual words used. Oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines two normally contradictory terms think "deafening silence," "wise fool" or "cruel kindness.". Its a somewhat regional word for a small convenience-type grocery store, often used in business names (Carsons Superette). He was very warmly thanked both by mother and daughter; to escape a little from the latter, he went to the pianoforte, and begged Miss Fairfax, who was still sitting at it, to play something more. ", Oxymorons have been used since the days of the ancient Greek poets. This list is in no way comprehensive, and just aims at giving you an idea as to what oxymora are. 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. 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). This is especially achieved if the word pairing reveals intensity or a great difference in quality. Too many uses of oxymoron can be either distracting or tedious for the reader. Post author By ; Post date regina's restaurant menu; california home care aide registry . The term "oxymoron" is itself an oxymoron as it derives from the Greek "oxus" (sharp) and "moros" (stupid). Yes. In some languages, it is not necessary to place a conjunction like and between the two antonyms; such compounds (not necessarily of antonyms) are known as dvandvas (a term taken from Sanskrit grammar). As a literary device, it is used to make certain word combinations more thought-provoking to stand out. If this statement is indeed false as it says, then this would actually make it true. "wise-foolish"). 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. 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 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. Take this sentence, for example: There are two oxymorons in this sentence: "minor crisis" and "only choice." However, with an oxymoron the incongruous word pairing conveys a truth or a dramatic result. I can resist anything but temptation. [22], Similarly, the term "civil war" is sometimes jokingly referred to as an "oxymoron" (punning on the lexical meanings of the word "civil").
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