When we think of oxymorons, we often think of two-word phrases with seemingly opposite components, like "alone together" or "sweet sorrow." Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/awfully-good-examples-of-oxymorons-1691814. 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. Post author By ; Post date regina's restaurant menu; california home care aide registry . Review the example sentences below to get a better sense of how oxymorons can be used in sentences and dialogue. This is a pairing of opposing words that contradict each other. Placing contrasting words next to each other makes each one stand out more, just like placing contrasting colors together. [1][2] A general meaning of "contradiction in terms" is recorded by the 1902 edition of the Oxford English Dictionary. juni 14, 2022; Posted by synology broadcast storm; 14 . ThoughtCo. Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. Below, we provide you with an extensive list of oxymorons. What are examples of oxymoron? Now, don't let your brain start to hurt just yetup next, we take a look at oxymoron examples in sentences from literature and pop culture. Or plastic silverware. That noun combines sophos, the Greek adjective meaning wise, with its intellectual opposite mros, meaning foolish.. We use oxymorons because they make effective titles in literature or film, and add dramatic effect, for example, Dead Man Walking, Mr. They can enhance writing and communication in a variety of ways, including by adding dramatic effect. Consider these paradox examples: You have to spend money to make money. Here are some of the more famous oxymoron examples from historical literature: With loads of learned lumber in his head . That makes oxymorons a serious option in, is fairly neutralit can be calm or tense, depending on the context. Why use phrases that don't seem to make logical sense? One example of this is when Oscar Wilde comically reflected on the fact that he "can resist anything, except temptation.". the word nascar is an oxymoron. Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone. parting is such sweet sorrow. The word "oxymoron" is an oxymoron itself and derives from the . Meghan graduated from Marist College with a Bachelor of Arts in English in 2017; her creative nonfiction piece Anticipation was published in the Spring 2017 issue of Angles literary magazine. A crisis is defined as a time of serious difficulty or importance. By that measure, no crisis is unimportant or minor. So how did we arrive at spendthrift for a word for someone who spends money wastefully? Think jumbo shrimp. "wise-foolish"). There is, we regret to inform you, no commonly used verb form of the word. These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'oxymoron.' Jane Austen, Emma, 1815. Such a phrase shows that an object can have two different qualities at once, making it a subject for study and analysis. A simpler meaning would be that, it is a set of consecutive words that express conflicting meanings. By extension, oxymorons deal with the contrast between the meanings of words, but paradoxes focus on the contrast between complete ideas. "A lot of people never use their initiative because no-one told them to.". One feature of this kind of poem is its tendency to describe love as a strange mixture of pain and pleasure. Oxymorons are often confused with paradoxesafter all, both are textbook contradictions of terms. 4 Answers. 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. 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. Saying that a picture or a scene is "painfully beautiful" calls attention to the speaker and the object of inquiry. Also, they often lead the reader to an underlying truth. As a rhetorical device, an oxymoron illustrates a point to communicate and reveal a paradox. As a literary device, oxymoron has the effect of creating an impression, enhancing a concept, and even entertaining the reader. Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub.PrepScholar.com, allow you to interact with your peers and the PrepScholar staff. is an ancient Greek word, which translates most closely to something like sharply dull or cleverly stupid. In other words, the oxymoron definition is itself an oxymoron. Yet, original copy as an oxymoron commonly and figuratively means that the content of the copy is original. in a unique way thats particularly expressive. Privacy Policy. Then check out our in-depth guide to the 31 literary devices you must know. Oxymorons present an ideal opportunity to be clever or funny. 100 Awfully Good Examples of Oxymorons. [11], Other examples from English-language literature include: 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. tautology, noun : needless or meaningless repetition in close succession of an idea, statement, or word. 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). It may seem illogical or unrealistic, but, upon reflection, its based in reality and stems from valid reasoning. And, of course, plenty of people use oxymorons intentionally for humorous effect. An Oxymoron is two words, or a compound word, with contradictory definitions. Taken to its logical conclusion, this emphasis on the fragmentation of the body politic makes postmodern feminism an, He calls himself a "bleeding-heart conservative," and that, As the war went on, "precision bombing" became a comical, While putting those two words together is seemingly an, The riff-laden metal song may be the best-sounding Nickelback song in years and no, that is not an, For many parents, teenager communication skills is an, Affordable fine jewelry may sound like an, But the Clippers just didnt get enough Sunday, the, Consciousness without content strikes me as a contradiction, an, Once it was established that high-performance SUVs were not an, Post the Definition of oxymoron to Facebook, Share the Definition of oxymoron on Twitter. If something is original,then it is not a copy. "faith unfaithful", "falsely true" (Tennyson),[16] In speech, oxymorons can lend a sense of humor, irony, or sarcasm. Oxymoron Quotes (30 quotes) - Goodreads June 3, 2022 . When a single word contains two conflicting ideas. This famous quotation from Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet contains an equally famous oxymoron. We provide informative and helpful articles about the newest fiction and nonfiction books on the market that you can come back to again and again when you have the urge for a new book to dig into. "proud humility" (Spenser),[13] Take a look at which ones you have used in conversation: Consider the sonnet. "damn with faint praise" (Pope),[15] Oxymoron is sometimes used to describe a word combination that strikes the listener as humorously contradictory, even if the speaker didn't intend it that way. However, you may come across many such examples that need verbal interpretations and deep understanding. Check out the oxymoron definition. He gave me a. 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_15',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_16',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}. Feel free to look throughthis vast list of oxymoron examplesif youre in need of an oxymoron for something you're writing or if you simply want tolearn some of the most commonones. The term chiaroscuro, used in Renaissance painting, refers to the transition from light to shadow across an object (such as a muscled arm) to create the perception of depth. Many oxymora are simple to understand and interpret their hidden meaning. 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. 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. [20] Get the latest articles and test prep tips! Your writing, at its best Paired together, however, they create a deeper meaning. An oxymoron is a literary device that juxtaposes contradictory terms. This combination of contrary or antithetical words is also known in conversation as a contradiction in terms. Two involve the palindrome, two involve the oxymoron, and one involves onomatopoeia. Highlighting their differences accentuates their meaning and the words come across stronger. An oxymoron is a literary device combining oppositional words to create a unique word or phrase. "[21], Examples popularized by comedian George Carlin in 1975 include "military intelligence" (a play on the lexical meanings of the term "intelligence", implying that "military" inherently excludes the presence of "intelligence") and "business ethics" (similarly implying that the mutual exclusion of the two terms is evident or commonly understood rather than the partisan anti-corporate position). What is an Oxymoron? || Definition & Examples | | College of Liberal Here's an example of paradox from George Orwell's Animal Farm: Delivered to your inbox! The most commonly-used example of an oxymoron is 'jumbo shrimp,' as a shrimp is small by definition and therefore cannot be jumbo. 'Simile' and 'metaphor' are just the beginning. This phrase qualifies as an oxymoron because the words "same" and "difference" have opposite meanings. As a literary device, oxymoron has the effect of creating an impression, enhancing a concept, and even entertaining the reader. Oxymorons combine contradictory words, but paradoxes combine contradictory ideas. the word nascar is an oxymoron - digitalidentityorganization.com For nearly 40 years . Oxymorons can be clearly confusing (see what we did there? There are many examples of oxymorons in the English language such as "jumbo shrimp," "hot ice," and "civil war." Oxymoron is a word that literally means "contradictory terms." These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Rowdy, a new documentary on Amazon Freevee, tells the story of NASCAR driver Kyle Busch's life and career, largely focused on his chase for the 2015 Cup Series Championship. Highlighting their differences accentuates their meaning and the words come across stronger. nt authority local system. Bittersweet is the word for a pleasant feeling that is nonetheless marked by sadness or regret, such as the feeling one might have upon graduating from school, where many friendships were made. This presents the word silence in a unique way thats particularly expressive. 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. the word nascar is an oxymoron. All rights reserved. But pairing it with deafening gives silence a very distinct meaning, comparing it to a loud noise that draws extra attention. There are oxymorons throughout the alphabet, from "a" to "z." It was featured notably by Leonardo da Vinci in such works as The Adoration of the Magi (ca. Amplification Definition and Examples in Rhetoric, 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 places contradictory terms next to each other in a word or phrase. Get Free Guides to Boost Your SAT/ACT Score, our in-depth guide to the 31 literary devices you must know. Generally, an oxymoron phrase is a . the word nascar is an oxymoron. Nordquist, Richard. 2020, Preposterous suggests the idea of conflict in its meaning: contrary to nature, reason, or common sense, as in a preposterous notion.. cabarrus county sheriff's office directory . Here are some of the more famous oxymoron examples from historical literature: All the pain he had endured was as nothing compared with the exquisite agony of this. As rhetorical devices, oxymorons have been used in many different mediums from political speeches to novels to stage plays. [22], Similarly, the term "civil war" is sometimes jokingly referred to as an "oxymoron" (punning on the lexical meanings of the word "civil"). Oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines two normally contradictory terms think "deafening silence," "wise fool" or "cruel kindness.". However, others can be intentional: For instance, in the phrase deafening silence, the seeming contradiction only serves to emphasize the intensity of the silence. What Is an Oxymoron? 12 Oxymoron Examples - 2023 - MasterClass It even proofreads your text, so your work is extra polished wherever you write. This is an oxymoron because all babies are small. Sign up for our weekly newsletters and get: By signing in, you agree to our Terms and Conditions . , oxymorons have a few different purposes in writing, all of which are quite useful in the right situation: Oxymorons tend to have deeper meanings and be more memorable than noncontradictory words, so they work great at key points in your writing for boosting reader engagement. All Rights Reserved. The word is said to be originated from the Greek words, oxy, meaning 'sharp, pointed . Our vetted tutor database includes a range of experienced educators who can help you polish an essay for English or explain how derivatives work for Calculus. There is nothing really contradictory about jumbo shrimp, for examplea shrimp is a crustacean that comes in a variety of sizes and happens to have another sense meaning a small thing. Others, such as guest host or plastic glass, depend on how much credence you give to the idea of their components being opposites. single word requests - What's the opposite of "oxymoron"? - English it is itself an example of an oxymoron. 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. . Seeing these oxymoron examples used in the context of sentences may provide a better idea of how and why they're used. Consider these oxymoron examples: I am a deeply superficial person. Andy Warhol, I distinctly remember forgetting that. Clara Barton. affordable home builders cape coral, fl. Check out Tutorbase! O loving hate! Oxymorons is now more common in print than oxymora, but you'll find the latter listed in most dictionaries. An oxymoron is a conjoined pair of (seemingly) contradictory terms, e.g.deafening silence, pretty ugly, same difference, silent scream, or jumbo shrimp. One oxymoron example is "deafening silence," which describes a silence that is so overpowering it almost feels deafening, or extremely loudjust as an actual sound would. Lederer (1990), in the spirit of "recreational linguistics", goes as far as to construct "logological oxymorons"[jargon] such as reading the word nook composed of "no" and "ok" or the surname Noyes as composed of "no" plus "yes", or far-fetched punning such as "divorce court", "U.S. Army Intelligence" or "press release". In this sense, theuprising was simultaneously terrible (in that it led to death) and beautiful (in its romantic aspirations for independence). An oxymoron is a figure of speech where two terms seem contradictory. The humour derives from implying that an assumption (which might otherwise be expected to be controversial or at least non-evident) is so obvious as to be part of the lexicon. Oxymorons in the narrow sense are a rhetorical device used deliberately by the speaker, and intended to be understood as such by the listener. This contradiction is also known as aparadox. These figures of speech can enhance a readers understanding of a concept, interpretation of a phrase, or enjoyment of language. "melancholy merriment" (Byron), That I shall say good night till it be morrow. Similarly, "choice" implies more than one option, which is contradicted by "only," which implies the opposite. Lord Byron, Don Juan: Canto VIII, His honour rooted in dishonour stood, The word 'Oxymoron' is originally derived from the Greek elements: oxy = sharp and moros (moron) = dull (foolish). the word nascar is an oxymoron the word nascar is an oxymoron The dictionary defines an oxymoron as a "wittily paradoxical turn of phrase that appeals to 'unconscious responses' instead of rational examinations". The reader must momentarily pause to comprehend and process the meaningin other words, oxymorons make the reader think. It starts with super, which it gets from supermarket. 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. Send us feedback. Giant list of oxymorons - The Search Resource You can use dozens of filters and search criteria to find the perfect person for your needs. The fascinating story behind many people's favori Can you handle the (barometric) pressure? From 5th century Latin oxymoron, from Ancient Greek (oxus, "sharp") (English oxy-, as in oxygen) + (mros, "dull") (English moron ("stupid person")).Literally "sharp-dull", itself an oxymoron, hence autological; compare sophomore (literally "wise fool"), influenced by similar analysis.The compound form * (oxumron) is not found in the extant Greek . Or plastic silverware. These lines come from the hit 2013 song "All of Me" recorded by John Legend. To separate the two, consider that a paradox is an event or a situation and an oxymoron is a figure of speech. As shown by this list of 100 awfully good examples, oxymorons are also part of our everyday speech. 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. to compound the power behind certain words. Website, Richard Nordquist defines oxymorons as a literary device used by writers and poets for centuries "to describe life's inherent conflicts and incongruities.". A paradox is a term that presents a situation where two events seem unlikely to coexist. Well also provide you with an extensive list of oxymoronsso you can get a better feel for what oxymorons look and sound like. 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. William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, A damned saint, an honorable villain! Here's an example from Francesco Petrarch, the creator of the form: Together, these words indicate that Holden takes pride in how adept he is at lyinga behavior that is generally associated with indignity. The word follows an earlier obsolete noun dingthrift, with ding meaning to deal blows to, knock down, or beat., We couldnt have a list of oxymorons without mentioning oxymoron itself. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Delivered to your inbox! Here are some well-known and recognizable examples of this figure of speech: People are often confused by the difference between oxymoron and paradox. The N Word is a figure of speech - a racist and hateful figure of speech. Read literally, they contradict themselves. . To save this word, you'll need to log in. 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. (2021, February 16). Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Idylls of the King, Parting is such sweet sorrow. Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come. It might sound like a schoolyard insult, but it's not. The pairing of contradictory terms grabs attention, generates surprise, and creates an impression. Oxymoron: a combination of contradictory words. 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. With the first oxymoron,"perfect imperfections," the speaker is making it clear that his lovers flaws are ultimately what make her the perfect partner for him. According to Dictionary, the word oxymoron has been used since the 17th century and comes from the New Latin and Late Latin oxymorum, which stems from the presumed Greek oxmron and Greek oxumron which is the neuter of oxmros/oxumros and equivalent to ox, then added to the suffix mrs. ), so this article explains everything you need to know. 11 October 1975. The pairing, while apparently paradoxical . "pointedly foolish," from oxys "sharp, pointed" (from PIE root *ak- "be sharp, rise (out) to a point, pierce") + mros "stupid" (see moron ). Like a paradox, an oxymoron is whats known as a contradiction in terms, although oxymorons and paradoxes are two different things, as explained below. Nordquist, Richard. However, she lovingly anticipates seeing him again which is a pleasant feeling. They are known as oxymora, and in this article, you will find an oxymoron list, which will give you some really good and yet, funny oxymora so that you can understand the concept better. For example, just pairing any two words that are contradictory wont make for an effective oxymoron. Oscar Wilde. (Old news, anyone?) Huge List of Oxymorons. The violent display ultimately led to thousands of deaths and injuries. What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For? NASCAR Whelen Mod Tour Team Owner David Hill Apologetic Over Racial