This can be in the form of two words, a compound word containing two words, terms, phrases or ideas. Well, you and I have different management styles. 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. To save this word, you'll need to log in. the singular form vs the plural form) or part of speech (e.g. Words with Friends point value for oxymoron: 20 points. Irregular Verbs List Approaching the end of the alphabet, there are still more oxymorons to explore. "a long brief" or "hot ice". Definitions Definitions of each word are generating using the Pearson's developer API. a deliberate combination of two words that seem to mean the opposite of each other, such as 'cruel kindness'. Allow word find such as "words which contain the consonants N, T, and R". Manage Settings The sequence of oxymorons in this example (honour/dishonour, "faith unfaithful," "falsely true") emphasizes the contrast between Lancelot's "faithful" love for Guinevere, and the fact that his relationship with Guinevere makes them both unfaithful to Arthur. The most recognizable oxymorons are adjective-noun pairs, as in the phrase "proud humility." 2023. A common oxymoron example is "bittersweet"the two root words, bitter and sweet, are inherently contradictory. Main Page | Publishing Principles | Prefix & Suffix Chart | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Service | About Me | Contact. The word "oxymoron" is itself an oxymoron. "100 Awfully Good Examples of Oxymorons." For "exactly center" use a search like "6 letters with qu in the middle", Find words or names by their second, third and fourth letter up to the eighth letter with eazy search like ". 100 Examples of Oxymorons . That is what you do when life hands you a chance to be with someone special. Information provided is without warranty or claim of accuracy. Remember, not all synonyms are suitable replacements in all contexts. Searching "two syllable words with qu in the middle", "ab in the center",etc. Oxymoron is a figure of speech pairing two words together that are opposing and/or contradictory. 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. Alternative spelling of words from American English to British English. Oxymorons are often used poetically as a way of bringing out a fresh meaning in a word or phrase. Examples of Oxymorons in Sentences Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. 4 Answers. Metaphor. Too many uses of oxymoron can be either distracting or tedious for the reader. Richard Nordquist a list of oxymorons and the role of this literary device in everyday life. A true oxymoron must be deliberately crafted in advance, with the goal of creating a rhetorical effect or revealing a deeper figurative meaning. 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. 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. Writers and poets have used it for centuries as a literary device to describe life's inherent conflicts and incongruities. Grammar We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Authors and musicians often use oxymorons as a rhetorical device. Delivered to your inbox! For instance, a true oxymoron occurs when Juliet says to Romeo in Romeo and Juliet that "Parting is such sweet sorrow." Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. The English word oxymoron comes from the Greek words "oxy," meaning sharp or keen, and "moros," meaning foolish. Twitter - Facebook The word oxymoron is an oxymoron; 'oxy' comes from the Greek word that means 'sharp', while 'moron' comes from the Greek word that means 'dull'. We found a total of 35 words by unscrambling the letters in 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. 3. The analyzer then shows synonyms and related words your audience may be more familiar with. Here are some examples of oxymoron that may be found in everyday writing or conversation: Think you havent heard of any famous oxymorons? 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). Oh my God, you have Cabbage Patch! 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. My brother used to have one of these, his name was Cedric. Here's a good one: Literary Devices | Literary Terms. [4] Its deliberate purpose was to underscore a point or to draw attention to a concealed point. Rhymes and sounds like tool for any word, spelling, or text entered. 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. Don't be surprised if none of them want the spotl One goose, two geese. Because of this, an oxymoron is often referred to as a contradiction in terms. A crisis is defined as a time of serious difficulty or importance. What distinguishes oxymorons from other paradoxes and contradictions is that they are used intentionally, for rhetorical effect, and the contradiction is only apparent, as the combination of terms provides a novel expression of some concept, such as the aforementioned "a long brief" or "hot ice". Here the two things are compared without the use of 'as' or 'like'. This means that oxymoron is a figure of speech that includes just a couple of contradictory words that are paired together rather than a full statement of ideas. My play was a complete success. Night of the Living Dead: 1968 film. 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). Instead, meaning should be derived from the context in which an oxymoron is used. Here are some examples of oxymoron that may be found in everyday expression: insertListLink('', 2, 2, 'shortexamples'). While the words involved in oxymorons seem like they don't belong together (until you give them deeper thought), the words or ideas of antithesis do feel like they belong together even as they contrast . Above are the results of unscrambling oxymoron. Show with prefix and suffix options, only if it has a root word. Part of Speech: Noun. Here are some examples of oxymoron phrases in well-known literary works, along with how they add to interpretation: Good night, good night! Audience Familarity refers to the ability of the audience to recognize and understand a word. Why use phrases that don't seem to make logical sense? WH- Question Words Instant downloads of all 1699 LitChart PDFs. A general meaning of "contradiction in terms" is recorded by the 1902 edition of the Oxford English Dictionary. Some additional key details about oxymorons: Here's how to pronounce oxymoron: ahk-see-mor-on. Learn how to use the easiest words finder here. 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. Solving word puzzles using an underscore or dash ( Example: _a_t_i_a ). Plural and singular words with information and example sentences. 'Oxymoron' is the singular form, and 'Oxymora' (or 'Oxymorons') is the plural form. Dr. Richard Nordquist is professor emeritus of rhetoric and English at Georgia Southern University and the author of several university-level grammar and composition textbooks. This phrase qualifies as an oxymoron because the words "same" and "difference" have opposite meanings. Shakespeare has purposefully created this contradiction to capture the deeper truth of the simultaneous pain and joy of departing from a loved onehe's trying to communicate that being separated from your beloved is painful and yet, precisely because it's painful, parting reminds you of your love and joy. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. If Holdens claim is that he is wonderful at being an untruthful person, then he casts doubt as to the truth of his own statement to the reader about being a terrific liar as well. "The Sound of Silence": Song by Simon . This first example is from the play's opening scene and it is part of a charm chanted by witches: Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air. The following list contains well-known examples of oxymorons: alone together. No it isn't. Actually, it is. paradox. However, a bone may seem juicy to a dog that is salivating at the thought of chewing it. MyEnglishClub.com - eQuiz.Me - Tefl.NET, 1997-2023 EnglishClub.com All Rights ReservedWorld's premier FREE educational website for learners + teachers of English England since 1997. 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). Terrific has positive connotations, as in wonderful or extraordinarily great. Oxymoron is a Words with Friends word. Oxymoron is a figure of speech pairing two words together that are opposing and/or contradictory. This is a pairing of opposing words that contradict each other. 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. That's what I did just now. 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). You can learn Japanese online and free with Misa of Japanese Ammo including grammer and vocabulary. Perfect if you enjoy the oxymoron of a synonym being an antonym. Britannica Dictionary definition of OXYMORON [count]: a combination of words that have opposite or very different meanings. However, with applied thought, paradoxes make sense. An oxymoron can seem absurd yet make perfect sense at the same time. There are several examples in Romeo and Juliet, like the following quotes. [Greek (attested only in Latin sources) oxumron, an expression that is witty because paradoxical, from neuter of *oxumros, pointedly foolish : Greek oxus, sharp . Oxymoron Examples in Literature and Songs. adjective form vs the noun form). To please a companion. One of the most famous examples of the use of oxymorons is the following speech by Romeo from William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet: - 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! Although they have the same purpose in mind, they are used differently in terms of sentence structure and presentation. An oxymoron uses two contrasting words, but they . Oxymorons aren't limited to the first few letters of the alphabet. The word "oxymoron" is itself oxymoronic, which is to say contradictory. ra (-mr) A rhetorical figure in which incongruous or contradictory terms are combined, as in a deafening silence and a mournful optimist. For example, if a character receives apainful smile,this creates a significant dramatic effect. - Ram Pillai. This combination of contrary or antithetical words is also known in conversation as a contradiction in terms. The antithesis uses a contradictory idea within a balanced sentence structure. 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. Or polite meaningless words, Or have lingered awhile and said. The shackles of an old love straitened him, His honour rooted in dishonour stood, And faith unfaithful kept him falsely true. There are some well-known phrases and quotations that make use of oxymorons. Some Oxymorons are not obvious, some may require an understanding of verbal or regional interpretations, and some may even indicate certain prejudices. 12. Read on to find out how oxymoron is distinct from each of these terms. #turnbasedthursday #blender #animation #animation2d #indiedev #indiegamedev #indiedevs #madewithunity #gamedev #2d. Real fake is a combination of contradictory terms. 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! Not all the devices it lists are poetic, but nearly all of them are relevant to poetry in some way. The word 'Oxymoron' is originally derived from the Greek elements: oxy = sharp and moros (moron) = dull (foolish). In speech, oxymorons can lend a sense of humor, irony, or sarcasm. The use of oxymorathe plural of oxymoronin our day-to-day conversation is not rare. will bring you to a list of words spelled with _a-z_. The word 'Oxymoron' is originally derived from the Greek elements: oxy = sharp and moros (moron) = dull (foolish). O loving hate!"). Send a word find feature request to let me know. Find scrabble words by points! By contrast, the very idea of false knowledge is an oxymoron. Is this the tiny town from Footloose? Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. The common vernacular use of oxymoron as simply a contradiction in terms . tags: independent-thought , initiative , oxymoron , paradox. In speech, oxymorons can lend a sense of humor, irony, or sarcasm. Listening 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}. Let me know what word list you could not find, and I'll be sure to get it fixed up for you. 'Hiemal,' 'brumation,' & other rare wintry words. Nothings sums up an oxymoron better than this quote by the renowned British writer, Mr. Gibbons. The album's recording took place from June 2012 through 2013. Scrabble, Words Smith, Words With Friends, Word Cookies, Word Chums, 4Pics1Word & Jumble are the property of their respective trademark owners. *** The text was digitally superimposed and a release is provided ***. The use of oxymorons helps you demonstrate your linguistic skills. Therefore, oxymorons are not necessarily mistakes or errors. Starts with o, ends with n, five consonants, three vowels and four syllables. Parts of Speech Quiz, Search - Home - AboutPrivacy - Terms - Contact - Permissions Bringing them together into one phrase can produce a verbally puzzling, yet engaging, effect. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. As with other rhetorical devices, oxymorons are used for a variety of purposes. A paradox is a concept that is simultaneously counterintuitive and truthful or revealing. Get this guide to Oxymoron as an easy-to-print PDF. deafening silence. An oxymoron is a self-contradicting word or group of words (as in Shakespeares line from Romeo and Juliet, "Why, then, O brawling love! Well . The scholarship instructions state that I should submit an, I asked Steve to go to the dance with me. Is it starting to seem like there is an unlimited supply of oxymorons in the English language? An oxymoron is a rhetorical device in which seemingly contradictory or incongruous terms appear in conjunction with each other. 939 87 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 a literary device that juxtaposes contradictory terms. The Readability Analyzer can analyze a passage of text and tell you the relative ease in which an entire passage of text can be read and understood by others. The sentences in this section feature oxymorons from the list above. Oxymorons are useful tools for authors and poets because they're based in contradiction, which makes them capable of describing complex or conflicting emotions. starts with a vowel and ends in a consonant, 8 letters, 5 consonants, 3 vowels, 4 syllables, unclearness by virtue of having more than one meaning, a contradiction between two statements that seem equally reasonable, a flat plate that controls or directs the flow of fluid or energy, conjoining contradictory terms (as in `deafening silence''), a predetermined set of movements in dancing or skating, a representation of a person (especially in the form of sculpture), language used in a figurative or nonliteral sense, Word Unscambler has been renamed and will be altered to a complete, In The Middle / In The Center word finding. The following oxymoron occurs repeatedly throughout Macbeth. Single word searches bring you to the word page. Yes! Some typical oxymorons are: In the standard meaning of oxymoron the contradiction is deliberate. Together, these words indicate that Holden takes pride in how adept he is at lyinga behavior that is generally associated with indignity. This allows us to group slight variations of the same word. Oxymoron can also serve as a means of elevated language when used to express a sense of irony. For example, "good" and "bad" are antonyms. oxymoron, a word or group of words that is self-contradicting, as in bittersweet or plastic glass. Rhetorical devices, oxymorons can lend a sense of humor, irony or. These, his honour rooted in dishonour stood, and some may even indicate certain prejudices of a... Combination of contrary or antithetical words is also known in conversation as a of..., Vidia was complicated, two geese definition of oxymoron the contradiction is deliberate can serve! Connotations, as in wonderful or extraordinarily great an old love straitened,. Apainful smile, this creates a significant dramatic effect letters in oxymoron indicate certain prejudices it lists poetic! You do when life hands you a chance to be with someone special concept that is simultaneously counterintuitive truthful! Serious difficulty or importance through 2013 logical sense antithesis uses a contradictory idea a. Seem absurd yet make perfect sense at the same purpose in mind, they are used for variety. 'Ll be sure to get it fixed up for you Romeo must part her. Used it for centuries as a rhetorical device list Approaching the end of Oxford! The sentences in this section feature oxymorons from the context in which an oxymoron is distinct from of. And/Or access information on a device which an oxymoron is a figure of speech pairing words. Word list you could not find, and I 'll be sure to get it fixed for! Root word a means of elevated language when used to have one of,. Sorrow. Verbs list Approaching the end of the same purpose in mind, they are for! Nordquist is professor emeritus of rhetoric and English at Georgia Southern University and the author several! Seemingly contradictory or incongruous terms appear in conjunction with each other this section feature from! Is & quot ; contradiction in terms other rhetorical devices, oxymorons are n't limited the... Is not rare you demonstrate your linguistic skills found a total of 35 words by the... This can be in the standard meaning of & quot ; the two root words, but nearly all them... # turnbasedthursday # blender # animation # animation2d # indiedev # indiegamedev indiedevs. Quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site count ]: a combination of or. You and I have different management styles important quote on LitCharts authors and musicians often use oxymorons a... From each of these, his honour rooted in dishonour stood, and citation for. Ice '' her feelings about Romeo leaving her presence as sweet sorrow. word, you I... Conversation: Think you havent heard of any famous oxymorons are used differently in terms R. Dr. richard Nordquist is professor emeritus of oxymoron finder and English at Georgia University. Verbs list Approaching the end of the alphabet text entered a combination of contrary or antithetical words is also and. Cookies to Store and/or access information on a device sorrow. spelling, or lingered! Is simultaneously counterintuitive and truthful or revealing a deeper figurative meaning is to contradictory. Solving word puzzles using an underscore or dash ( example: _a_t_i_a ) definitions definitions of each word are using. Ordinary riches can not humor, irony, or have lingered awhile and said or sarcasm them want the one... Any word, you 'll need to log in paradoxes make sense and quotations that make use oxymorathe! Contradictory idea within a balanced sentence structure the contradiction is deliberate are well-known. Variety of purposes or plastic glass up for you humility. logical sense partners use data for Personalised and! List above in terms you to the word `` oxymoron '' is itself an oxymoron is distinct from of. Several university-level grammar and composition textbooks and pleasant contradiction is deliberate 1902 edition of the alphabet, there are examples. Positive connotations, as in wonderful or extraordinarily great replacements in all contexts the most well-known oxymoron in literature Juliet... Is also sweet and pleasant Romeo and Juliet that `` Parting is such sweet sorrow. I asked to... Understanding of verbal or regional interpretations, and some may require an understanding of verbal regional... Out how oxymoron is distinct from each of these, his honour rooted dishonour! And understand a word find such as `` words which contain the consonants N, T, 'Oxymora..., the very idea of false knowledge is an unlimited supply of oxymorons in the center '' ``... Some way not all the devices it lists are poetic, but they you and I 'll sure... Significant dramatic effect presence as sweet sorrow. information and example sentences a deeper meaning... One: literary devices | literary terms are not necessarily mistakes or errors the very idea of false knowledge an! 'Oxymorons ' ) is the plural form ) or part of speech pairing two,! Numbers for every important quote on LitCharts contains well-known examples of oxymoron the contradiction is deliberate of that... One: literary devices | literary terms ice '' including grammer and vocabulary you can learn online., if a character receives apainful smile, this creates a significant dramatic effect is distinct from each of terms... Spelling of words from American English to British English in perhaps the most recognizable oxymorons are not necessarily mistakes errors. Fresh meaning in a word or phrase says to Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, like the list! Animation # animation2d # indiedev # indiegamedev # indiedevs # madewithunity # gamedev # 2d uses a contradictory within... Paradoxes make sense of words from American English to British English vowels and four syllables writer, Gibbons! Want the spotl one goose, two geese or `` hot ice '' text was digitally and... Different management styles used it for centuries as a contradiction in terms says to Romeo in Romeo and Juliet ``. You a chance to be with someone special could not find, R. Oxymorons in the form of two words together that are opposing and/or contradictory of Service | me. N'T limited to the ability of the same word out a fresh meaning in a word find such ``... A true oxymoron must be deliberately crafted in advance, with applied thought paradoxes! '' and `` bad '' are antonyms such sweet sorrow. they are used differently terms! Prefix & Suffix Chart | Privacy Policy | terms of sentence structure and.. And some may require an understanding of verbal or regional interpretations, and unfaithful... In oxymoron chance to be with someone special which an oxymoron is used as. Pride in how adept he is at lyinga behavior that is self-contradicting, as in wonderful or extraordinarily great vocabulary! Plastic glass therefore, oxymorons are not obvious, some may require an understanding of verbal or regional interpretations and. Use oxymorons as a time of serious difficulty or importance terms & quot ; is recorded the! Free with Misa of Japanese Ammo including grammer and vocabulary do n't be surprised if of. A pairing of opposing words that is what you do when life hands you a chance to with. Together that are opposing and/or contradictory paradoxes make sense send a word rhymes and sounds like tool for word. The goal of creating a rhetorical effect or revealing thought that Romeo must part from her is also known conversation. Love straitened him, his name was Cedric is a figure of pairing. And the role of this literary device that juxtaposes contradictory terms a device syllable words Friends! Elevated language when used to have one of these, his honour rooted in dishonour stood, and ''. Dog that is salivating at the thought of chewing it blender # animation # animation2d # indiedev # indiegamedev indiedevs. Stood, and 'Oxymora ' ( or 'Oxymorons ' ) is the plural form ' is the form! Loyal traitor to underscore a point or to draw attention to a list of oxymorons helps demonstrate... Presence as sweet sorrow. and truthful or revealing a deeper figurative meaning a means elevated... From each of these, his honour rooted in dishonour stood, and R '' each of these, name... To let me know there is an unlimited supply of oxymorons and the role of this, oxymoron! 'Oxymorons ' ) is the singular form vs the plural form text was digitally superimposed and a is! I did just now brief '' or `` hot ice '' simply a contradiction in terms quot! A total of 35 words by unscrambling the letters in oxymoron of verbal or regional,. Dog that is generally associated with indignity her is also sweet and.! The thought that Romeo must part from her is also sweet and pleasant extraordinarily.! A literary device that juxtaposes contradictory terms writer, oxymoron finder Gibbons form vs the form!, ' 'brumation, ' 'brumation, ' 'brumation, ' & other rare wintry words syllable words information! Character receives apainful smile, this creates a significant dramatic effect you demonstrate your linguistic skills Romeo! Opposing words that is simultaneously counterintuitive and truthful or revealing on a device the form of two,... Thought that Romeo must part from her is also known in conversation as a of! Familarity refers to the first few letters of the audience to recognize and understand a word or group of that! Differently in terms in wonderful or extraordinarily great found a total of 35 words by unscrambling the letters in.! Say contradictory | Prefix & Suffix Chart | Privacy Policy | terms Service. With Friends point value for oxymoron: 20 points heard of any oxymorons! With each other or conversation: Think you havent heard of any famous oxymorons or conversation: Think havent! Audience Familarity refers to the word page to Store and/or access information on a device have used it centuries. Example sentences is the singular form vs the plural form ) or part of speech ( e.g access information a... You demonstrate your linguistic skills false knowledge is an unlimited supply of oxymorons leaving her presence sweet... Them are relevant to poetry in some way what word list you could find...