Yet, original copy as an oxymoron commonly and figuratively means that the content of the copy is original. 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! 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. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that puts two words next to each other with very different meanings that end up making sense in a strange way. Consider these oxymoron examples: I am a deeply superficial person. Andy Warhol, I distinctly remember forgetting that. Clara Barton. Because of this, an oxymoron is often referred to as a contradiction in terms. With good, and bad, and worse, alike prolific, Too much of one sort would be soporific;. I can resist anything but temptation. Don't be surprised if none of them want the spotl One goose, two geese. Highlighting their differences accentuates their meaning and the words come across stronger. Many oxymora are simple to understand and interpret their hidden meaning. Where Is Oxymoron Derived From? - The Squidly Huge List of Oxymorons - Literary Devices What Is the Figure of Speech Antiphrasis? An oxymoron is a conjoined pair of (seemingly) contradictory terms, e.g.deafening silence, pretty ugly, same difference, silent scream, or jumbo shrimp. What Is An Oxymoron? Definition & Examples Of This Writing Technique Discussed by L. Coltheart in Moira Gatens, "This opened up an oxymoron too dreadful to contemplate: affordable caviar" (, Last edited on 21 February 2023, at 22:29, Word Ways: The Journal of Recreational Linguistics, http://snltranscripts.jt.org/75/75acarlin2.phtml, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Oxymoron&oldid=1140812370, This page was last edited on 21 February 2023, at 22:29. Oxymorons are not meant to be taken literally. Usually, oxymorons are made up of just two words, but paradoxes are complete sentences, sometimes entire paragraphs. the word nascar is an oxymoron - nyperfectclicks.com Consider these paradox examples: You have to spend money to make money. tautology, noun : needless or meaningless repetition in close succession of an idea, statement, or word. William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, O brawling love! Oxymorons are often used poetically as a way of bringing out a fresh meaning in a word or phrase. He gave me a. In cuisine, it describes things like dark chocolate, which is thought of as sweet but in reality contains little sugar, so has a sharper taste than regular chocolate. In many cases they are obvious. 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. Here are some of our favorite oxymoron examples. Posted at 14:06h in does jetblue have power outlets by white stuff on frozen chicken. oxymoron definition: 1. two words or phrases used together that have, or seem to have, opposite meanings: 2. two words. An oxymoron is a figure of speech, usually one or two words, in which seemingly contradictory terms appear side by side. Bringing them together into one phrase can produce a verbally puzzling, yet engaging, effect. However, if there is no figurative or underlying meaning to the phrase, it shouldnt be used as a proper oxymoron. The fascinating story behind many people's favori Can you handle the (barometric) pressure? When we learn about oxymorons, bittersweet is often one of the first words given as an example. to compound the power behind certain words. Check out the funniest accidental, and intentional, malapropism examples as well. A paradox is a term that presents a situation where two events seem unlikely to coexist. Salinger uses an oxymoron in this quote by Holden Caulfield, the narrator of the novel. parting is such sweet sorrow. 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! Giant list of oxymorons - The Search Resource In a 2009 article called "Daredevil", Garry Wills accused William F. Buckley of popularising this trend, based on the success of the latter's claim that "an intelligent liberal is an oxymoron. What Is an Oxymoron? - The Habitat I want to receive exclusive email updates from YourDictionary. Copyright 2023 Literary Devices. What is an Oxymoron? Easy Definition, With Examples from Literature 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). 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 Theme music by Joshua Stamper 2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP. 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. 11 October 1975. For some real-world examples of oxymorons in writing, review a few lines from literature and songs. This famous quotation from Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet contains an equally famous oxymoron. Funny Oxymorons - Funny Jokes Oftentimes a phrase cited as an example of an oxymoron is really just a play on words. An oxymoron is a self-contradicting word or group of words (as in Shakespeares line from Romeo and Juliet, "Why, then, O brawling love! Together, these words indicate that Holden takes pride in how adept he is at lyinga behavior that is generally associated with indignity. An oxymoron is also a noun that's defined as "a figure of speech by which a locution produces an incongruous, seemingly self-contradictory effect, as in 'cruel kindness' or 'to make haste slowly.'" So when contradictory or opposing words are combined, that expression is an oxymoron. This list is in no way comprehensive, and just aims at giving you an idea as to what oxymora are. William Shakespeare was known to sprinkle them throughout his plays, poems, and sonnets. Delivered to your inbox! There are oxymorons throughout the alphabet, from "a" to "z." up next, we take a look at oxymoron examples in sentences from literature and pop culture. the word nascar is an oxymoron the word nascar is an oxymoron How to use each word. The College Entrance Examination BoardTM does not endorse, nor is it affiliated in any way with the owner or any content of this site. As a rhetorical device, an oxymoron illustrates a point to communicate and reveal a paradox. Instead, it takes linguistic skill in knowing which words, though opposing, will work together to have an effect on the reader. 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, The reader must momentarily pause to comprehend and process the meaningin other words, oxymorons make the reader think. 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. 'when they are silent, they cry out'), These lines come from the hit 2013 song "All of Me" recorded by John Legend. 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. NASCAR Whelen Mod Tour Team Owner David Hill Apologetic Over Racial Who Are The Most Romantic Literary Figures of All Time? OXYMORON | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary 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". Like a paradox, an oxymoron is whats known as a contradiction in terms, although oxymorons and paradoxes are two different things, as explained below. Even though the two words are often antonyms (words with opposite meanings), they don't negate each other. Feeling 'bumfuzzled' or have the 'collywobbles'? According to Wills, Buckley has "poisoned the general currency" of the word oxymoron by using it as just a "fancier word for 'contradiction'", when he said that "an intelligent liberal is an oxymoron". This book, in which Wallace presents employees of the IRS and their spectacularly damaged lives, often dwells on the connection between tedium and pain. Oxymorons are common, often unconscious, literary devices. 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: . You'll find common figures of speech, plus references to works of classic and pop culture. 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.". An oxymoron is a phrase made of two or more words that actually have opposite meanings. When you're ready to graduate from oxymorons to symbolism, enjoy these examples of symbolism in literature. By extension, oxymorons deal with the contrast between the meanings of words, but paradoxes focus on the contrast between complete ideas. Oxymorons are often used in everyday conversation and ina breadth of writing, such as literature, poetry, and songwriting. The most common form of oxymoron involves an adjectivenoun combination of two words, but they can also be devised in the meaning of sentences or phrases. jumbo shrimp - Oxymoron List Oxymoron can also serve as a means of elevated language when used to express a sense of irony. In turn, if something is acopy,then it is not original. Ask questions; get answers. Learn more. The scope of a paradox can go much deeper, drawing on complicated themes and philosophical concepts. Like a paradox, an oxymoron is whats known as a contradiction in terms, although oxymorons and paradoxes are two different things, as explained below. Oxymoron is a word that describes an expression of two contradictory thoughts, words, or phrases. The phrase original copyis a good illustration of an oxymoron. Oxymoron - Definition and Examples | LitCharts Oxymoron Definitions The dictionary definition of oxymoron is:- A rhetorical figure of speech in which contradictory terms are paired, for example, alone together, current history or boneless ribs. Check out the oxymoron definition. Nordquist, Richard. | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples 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. Privacy Policy. 2020, Preposterous suggests the idea of conflict in its meaning: contrary to nature, reason, or common sense, as in a preposterous notion.. Grammarly can check your spelling and save you from grammar and punctuation mistakes. That makes oxymorons a serious option in, is fairly neutralit can be calm or tense, depending on the context. So elements that mean great and small combine to form a noun for a place to pick up your provisions. ), so this article explains everything you need to know. A person who is thrifty does not like to spend money. Oxymoron is a figure of speech pairing two words together that are opposing and/or contradictory. Althoughthe adjective "sweet" evokes a giddy, romantic emotion, the word "sorrow" callsto mind the much less happy, far more depressing aspect of having tobid farewell to someone you'd rather not leave. An oxymoron can seem absurd yet make perfect sense at the same time. Shellfish. Instead, meaning should be derived from the context in which an oxymoron is used. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Merriam-Webster defines an oxymoron as a rhetorical device in which a combination of contradictory or incongruous words is used in conjunction. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. In this sense, theuprising was simultaneously terrible (in that it led to death) and beautiful (in its romantic aspirations for independence). There are some well-known phrases and quotations that make use of oxymorons. Theoxymorons here point toLancelot's contradictory existence in regard to his relationships with both Guinevere and King Arthur: Lancelot isa "faithful" and "honorable" lover to Guinevere yet also an "unfaithful" and "dishonorable" knight to King Arthur, Guineveres husband, whom he is essentially betraying by carrying out a love affair with the queen. When we think of oxymorons, we often think of two-word phrases with seemingly opposite components, like "alone together" or "sweet sorrow." 2023. What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For? The audience was a failure. Katie McCabe, TimeOut London, 20 Apr. [7] The word oxymoron is autological, i.e. Late Greek oxymron, from neuter of oxymros pointedly foolish, from Greek oxys sharp, keen + mros foolish. (2021, February 16). 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. 309 likes. However, you may come across many such examples that need verbal interpretations and deep understanding. William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet. While an oxymoron is the combination of two contradictory/opposite words in a single sentence, a paradox is an entire phrase/sentence that appears contradictory but, upon further investigation, could be true or plausible. 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. Oxymoron definition: If you describe a phrase as an oxymoron , you mean that what it refers to combines two. What is an oxymoron? But pairing it with deafening gives silence a very distinct meaning, comparing it to a loud noise that draws extra attention. An oxymoron is 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. 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. In 1778, the French chemist Antoine Lavoisier (1743-94) proposed for the recently discovered element the name . 1481-82). O loving hate! It even proofreads your text, so your work is extra polished wherever you write. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), Palindrome Examples: Words and Phrases That Are the Same Backwards and Forwards, The Most Confusing Rules in the Grammar World, Pangram Examples Every Word Lover Will Appreciate, Stock Your Spring Closet with 12 Dresses Under $100, More Than 300 Words Were Just Added to Dictionary.com, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, The Sound of Silence: Song by Simon & Garfunkel, All your perfect imperfections: John Legend in his song All of Me, Clara Barton: I distinctly remember forgetting that., Isaac Bashevis Singer: We must believe in free will. 100 Awfully Good Examples of Oxymorons. Thenyou'll need to knowwhat to expect on exam day, including what kinds of questions you'll be asked and how much time you'll have. Whether bitter is really the opposite of sweet on the taste spectrum is arguable, but they are often contrasted since bitter is associated with medicines or some vegetables (like radishes) while sweet is associated with, well, sweets (candy and desserts). A Huge List of Oxymorons to Help You Understand the Concept Below, we provide you with an extensive list of oxymorons. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 'Rowdy' Freevee Review: Stream It or Skip It? - decider.com Oxymoron: a combination of contradictory words. 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. Through the phrase terrific liar, Holden is admitting that he is both a deceptive person and that hes extraordinarily great at being so. The scholarship instructions state that I should submit an, I asked Steve to go to the dance with me. All babies can be childish but, for some reason, adding the word 'big' communicates that the person you are talking about is even more childish than a regular-sized . Here are some of the more famous oxymoron examples from historical literature: With loads of learned lumber in his head . [23], Other examples include "honest politician", "act naturally", "affordable caviar" (1993),[24] "happily married" and "Microsoft Works" (2000).[25]. the word nascar is an oxymoron - kamislots.com My Blog the word nascar is an oxymoron 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." Is oxymoronic a word? (One, in particular, is in Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, wherein combining things that contrast is an ongoing theme.) Meghan Jones is a word nerd who has been writing for RD.com since 2017. An oxymoron is a figure of speech containing words that seem to contradict each other.