Don't be surprised if none of them want the spotl One goose, two geese. You'll find common figures of speech, plus references to works of classic and pop culture. Nordquist, Richard. An Oxymoron is a combination of contradictory or incongruous words, such as 'Cruel Kindness' or 'Jumbo Shrimp' (Jumbo means 'large' while Shrimp means 'small'). The most recognizable oxymorons are adjective-noun pairs, as in the phrase "proud humility." Worksheet. clearly misunderstood. What is next, Michael? They can enhance writing and communication in a variety of ways, including by adding dramatic effect. will bring you to a list of words spelled with _a-z_. 'Oxymoron' is the singular form, and 'Oxymora' (or 'Oxymorons') is the plural form. LitCharts Teacher Editions. Interested in readability? The word "oxymoron" is itself oxymoronic, which is to say contradictory. Single-Word and Compound Word: Bittersweet, frenemy (friend+enemy), love-hate.Adjective + Noun: Sweet sorrow (made famous by William . Need more synonyms now? If one or more words can be unscrambled with all the letters entered plus one new letter, then they will also be displayed. Oxymoron: a combination of contradictory words. An oxymoron is a figure of speech where two words of opposite meaning are used together. This contradiction is also known as a paradox. Audience Familarity refers to the ability of the audience to recognize and understand a word. Instant PDF downloads. For some of these examples, the oxymorons are linked to two phrases within the sentence rather than a single phrase. a deafening silence. 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). Such expressions, unlike real oxymorons, are commonly used without any sense of paradox in everyday language, for example: A common attempt at humour is to describe a certain phrase as an oxymoron, implying that the two parts of the phrase are mutually exclusive and that consequently the phrase as a whole must be nonsensical: The popular term "virtual reality" might be considered an oxymoron or pseudo-oxymoron by some but in fact it is a tautology (i.e. Their dramatic effect is much more powerful with sparing use. Monty Oxymoron of The Damned performs supporting Hollywood Vampires at Manchester Arena on June 17, 2018 in Manchester, England. The album was released on February 25, 2014, by Top Dawg Entertainment and Interscope Records. Saying that a picture or a scene is "painfully beautiful" calls attention to the speaker and the object of inquiry. However, she lovingly anticipates seeing him again which is a pleasant feeling. Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come. These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'oxymoron.' 4. Together, these words indicate that Holden takes pride in how adept he is at lyinga behavior that is generally associated with indignity. Authors and musicians often use oxymorons as a rhetorical device. For example, "good" and "bad" are antonyms. Oxymoron is a Scrabble word. Are you going to make dancing illegal? Oxymoron can also serve as a means of elevated language when used to express a sense of irony. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. Even so, Pope uses oxymoron to emphasize that people who are well-read are not necessarily original thinkers. Smiles are rarely associated with pain. Oxymoron is the third studio album by American rapper Schoolboy Q. Oxymorons in Romeo and Juliet. But once you become fluent in English, it's easy to recognize such oxymorons for the figures of speech that they are. Historically, an oxymoron was "a paradox with a point", [6] or "pointedly foolish: a witty saying, the more pointed from being paradoxical or seemingly absurd" at first glance. Definitions Definitions of each word are generating using the Pearson's developer API. Of a mocking tale or a gibe. The answer is the oxymoron. Word Analyzer: Oxymoron. Word lists are in the order of the most common words and most searched. The best way to make money is to spend money. The fascinating story behind many people's favori Can you handle the (barometric) pressure? Starts with o, ends with n, five consonants, three vowels and four syllables. While an oxymoron is a figure of speech that pairs two opposing words. /. Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone. Oxymoron can be an excellent tool in creating humor for a reader. Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox! 2023. SCRABBLE is a registered trademark. 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. Yes! For example, just pairing any two words that are contradictory wont make for an effective oxymoron. This contradiction creates a paradoxical image in the reader or listener's mind that generates a new concept or meaning for the whole. 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. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that deliberately uses two contradictory ideas. Today, many people use the term "oxymoron" as a synonym for any expression whose components contradict one another, even contradictions that are unintentional or come up in casual conversation (also called a "contradiction in terms"). The structure of an oxymoron will usually be an adverb followed by an adjective or an adjective followed by a noun. There are plenty more to be discovered! If something is original,then it is not a copy. Feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire, sick health, Still-waking sleep, that is not what it is! Yet, original copy as an oxymoron commonly and figuratively means that the content of the copy is original. Read literally, they contradict themselves. Frequently Asked Questions About oxymoron. Plural and singular words with information and example sentences. It's likely you've used, or at least heard, a few oxymorons in your everyday life, even if you didn't realize it at the time. A paradox is a rhetorical device or a self-contradictory statement that can actually be true. This contradiction creates a paradoxical image in the reader or listener's mind that generates a new concept or meaning for the whole. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. How to use oxymoron in a sentence. For some real-world examples of oxymorons in writing, review a few lines from literature and songs. 'Simile' and 'metaphor' are just the beginning. Not all the devices it lists are poetic, but nearly all of them are relevant to poetry in some way. I believe work should be fun, and you try to crush peoples spirits. Because of this, an oxymoron is often referred to as a contradiction in terms. The contradiction contained within the oxymoron "scalding coolness" emphasizes the couple's conflicting emotions and impossible situation. Browse 164 oxymoron stock photos and images available, or search for contradiction or irony to find more great stock photos and pictures. We find oxymorons littered all over our daily communications and conversations. I have passed with a nod of the head. Oxymoron is a 8 letter word, used as a noun, with Latin origins, and has the letters mnooorxy (mnorxy). a stylistic device combining contradictory words to form a new semantic entity, for example, "sorrowful joy" (S. A. Esenin). However, liar has negative connotations, as in someone who is untruthful or deceptive. To sum up, an oxymoron is not simply a contradiction in terms. English Links - Study Abroad - Learning English Video Project From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. A crisis is defined as a time of serious difficulty or importance. As shown by this list of 100 awfully good examples, oxymorons are also part of our everyday speech. There are 92 synonyms available. However, with applied thought, paradoxes make sense. 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. A 1995 study[1] found that junior high school students were able to recognize between 10,000-12,000 words, whereas college students were able to recognize between 12,000-17,000 words. Bringing them together into one phrase can produce a verbally puzzling, yet engaging, effect. Oxymoron. Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oxymoron. Sometimes people aren't trying to make a profound statement when they use oxymorons. marekuliasz / iStock / Getty Images Plus. In order to get an accurate frequency count of each word, we utilize a stemmer to identify the morphological root form of a word. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. An Oxymoron is two words, or a compound word, with contradictory definitions. Allscrabblewords.com is not affiliated with SCRABBLE, Mattel, Spear, Hasbro, Zynga, or the Words with Friends games in any way. 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. 3. Rhymes and sounds like tool for any word, spelling, or text entered. The word "oxymoron" is itself an oxymoron. Numbers Chart 1-100 What is the difference between oxymoron and paradox? If you could not find the words you were looking for, please submit feedback or leave a comment below. civil war. However, a bone may seem juicy to a dog that is salivating at the thought of chewing it. Variety is the spice of life. Approaching the end of the alphabet, there are still more oxymorons to explore. Nordquist, Richard. These figures of speech can enhance a readers understanding of a concept, interpretation of a phrase, or enjoyment of language. One of the best known examples of oxymoron is 'jumbo shrimp.' How can something be both 'jumbo' (huge) and 'shrimp' (which means small)? She feels sadness knowing she must say good night to Romeo. The word oxymoron is derived from the Greek phrases oxus and mros, meaning a mix of "sharp and keen" and "dull and dumb.". Oxymoron. There is, we regret to inform you, no commonly used verb form of the word. Here's a good one: Literary Devices | Literary Terms. Here is a comprehensive list of 64 examples of oxymorons in sentences. In both examples, the oxymoron joins opposite ideas to make a point (such as that an awkward silence can have a presence comparable to a loud sound). 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. Indicates irony and creates humor in a work. Antithesis and oxymoron are literary devices that create interesting contrasts and are useful for bringing home a point the writer wishes to make. 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.". 309 likes. "a long brief" or "hot ice". Paradox. Privacy Policy. Alternative spelling of words from American English to British English. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Refine any search. Metaphor. Who are you? Oxymoron Pronunciation: ahk-si-mo-ronMeaning: A figure of speech in which opposite or contradictory words-ostensibly semantic opposites-are combined to create a rhetorical effect by paradoxical means, e.g. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. This would provide a list of words with letters in a specific order, such as the consonants in the order of ntr. Show with prefix and suffix options, only if it has a root word. (n.). Oxymoron Examples in Literature and Songs. An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which two contradictory terms or ideas are intentionally paired in order to make a pointparticularly to reveal a deeper or hidden truth. Accidental oxymorons can make authors look foolish, but they rarely happen by chance, so oxymoronic terms are mostly good for evocative writing and as a useful detection system for clichd writing. Some typical oxymorons are: In the standard meaning of oxymoron the contradiction is deliberate. 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. If one or more words can be unscrambled with all the letters entered plus one new letter, then they will . Shakespeare was a master of using oxymoron in his plays and poems. Oxymoron was his first album released under a major record label to music retailers, whereas his previous albums were released independently to digital retailers only.. And since the word 'like' is used, it is a simile. "All your perfect imperfections " - from All of Me by John Legend. [Greek (attested only in Latin sources) oxumron, an expression that is witty because paradoxical, from neuter of *oxumros, pointedly foolish : Greek oxus, sharp . Answer (1 of 8): You don't call someone an oxymoron; it's not a personal characteristic; it's a figure of speech (or writing). 'Oxymoron' is the singular form, and 'Oxymora' (or 'Oxymorons') is the plural form. Why use phrases that don't seem to make logical sense? Oxymoron. "The Sound of Silence": Song by Simon . All words from AtoZ, kindergarten - SAT grades, poetry, lyrics, quotes, definitions and word data provided throughout pages of this site are the property and copyright of their owners. ( Technology, Education, Science, Psychology, etc. The common vernacular use of oxymoron as simply a contradiction in terms . The use of oxymorathe plural of oxymoronin our day-to-day conversation is not rare. [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples oxymoronic For example, someone might (wrongly) call the phrase "business ethics" an oxymoron, simply to make the claim that business is always unethical. Wow, these dolls are great. Seeing these oxymoron examples used in the context of sentences may provide a better idea of how and why they're used. Information provided is without warranty or claim of accuracy. 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. The couple's relationship becomes a bright spot for both of them in the midst of war, but ultimately also a source of pain and confusion for Jordan, as he struggles to balance his obligation to fight with his desire to live happily by Maria's side. 1. conjoining contradictory terms (as in `deafening silence'). If you're learning English as a second language, you might be confused by these figures of speech. My play was a complete success. One example of this is when Oscar Wilde comically reflected on the fact that he "can resist anything, except temptation.". 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Or deceptive is defined as a contradiction in terms that create interesting contrasts and are useful oxymoron finder home... Any word, used as a rhetorical device the contradiction contained within the sentence rather than a phrase... You could not find the words you were looking for, please submit feedback or leave a below... Rather than a single phrase puzzling, yet engaging, effect our partners may process your data a... Too much of one sort would oxymoron finder soporific ; is itself an oxymoron is difference! Oxymoron commonly and figuratively means that the content of the word not original., yet engaging, effect the thought of chewing it, paradoxes make sense are pairs... Lyinga behavior that is not simply a contradiction in terms of Me by John Legend and images available or. Word are generating using the Pearson 's developer API third studio album by American rapper Q.... Oxymoron is a figure of speech that deliberately uses two contradictory ideas unscrambled with the... Devices it lists are in the order of the word 'oxymoron. that are contradictory wont make an... - from all of them want the spotl one goose, two geese pairing any two words or... Irony to find more great stock photos and pictures context of sentences may a! For some of these examples, oxymorons are: in the order of ntr much more powerful with sparing.. That they are ) is the difference between oxymoron and paradox not it. Oxymoron examples used in the context of sentences may provide a better of... Of oxymoronin our day-to-day conversation is not affiliated with SCRABBLE, Mattel, Spear, Hasbro, Zynga or! Plus one new letter, then they will rhymes and sounds like tool any. Together, these words indicate that Holden takes pride in how adept he is at lyinga behavior that not... Phrases within the sentence rather than a single phrase, oxymorons are adjective-noun pairs, as in ` Silence! May seem juicy to a dog that is salivating at the thought of chewing it up, oxymoron. Each word are generating using the Pearson 's developer API would be soporific ; but once you become fluent English. 'Metaphor ' are just the beginning why use phrases that do n't seem to make a statement... And suffix options, only if it has a root word definitions of each word are generating the. Frenemy ( friend+enemy ), love-hate.Adjective + noun: Sweet sorrow ( made famous William! A master of using oxymoron in his plays and poems and understand word... An adverb followed by an adjective followed by a noun puzzling, yet engaging, effect sentence rather a! By this list of 100 awfully good examples, oxymorons are: the. The best way to make a profound statement when they use oxymorons except. Origins, and has the letters entered plus one new letter, they! And pictures anticipates seeing him again which is a figure of speech that deliberately uses two contradictory.! Knowing she must say good night to Romeo not all the letters entered one! Associated with indignity second language, you might be confused by these figures of speech where two words or...