Huge List of Oxymorons. The sentences in this section feature oxymorons from the list above. The phrasedaily night certainly features contrary wording. They can enhance writing and communication in a variety of ways, including by adding dramatic effect. 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. The Ancient Greeks came up with this term for a rhetorical device employing contradiction by combining the word for sharp, keen (oxys) with the aforementioned mros, meaning foolish.. Some oxymorons are accidental and/or so common in our speech that we dont realize that theyre totally contradictory. by | Jun 10, 2022 | flying saucer bar locations | metro flexline service manual | Jun 10, 2022 | flying saucer bar locations | metro flexline service manual June 3, 2022 . One example of a skillful oxymoron isreal fake. What are examples of oxymoron? Sign up to receive the latest and greatest articles from our site automatically each week (give or take)right to your inbox. But once you become fluent in English, it's easy to recognize such oxymorons for the figures of speech that they are. When you're ready to graduate from oxymorons to symbolism, enjoy these examples of symbolism in literature. Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come. 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 scholarship instructions state that I should submit an, I asked Steve to go to the dance with me. Oxymoron is a word that describes an expression of two contradictory thoughts, words, or phrases. The dictionary defines an oxymoron as a wittily paradoxical turn of phrase that appeals to unconscious responses instead of rational examinations. 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). "delighted sorrow", "loyal treachery", "scalding coolness" (Hemingway).[18]. With loads of learned lumber in his head . Generally, the ideas will come as two separate words placed side by side. The Italian pianoforte or fortepiano is an example from a Western language; the term is short for gravicembalo col piano e forte, as it were "harpiscord with a range of different volumes", implying that it is possible to play both soft and loud (as well as intermediate) notes, not that the sound produced is somehow simultaneously "soft and loud". The pairing of contradictory terms grabs attention, generates surprise, and creates an impression. 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. You might say that they juxtapose each other, which means, when placed close together, they create an. cabarrus county sheriff's office directory . A crisis is defined as a time of serious difficulty or importance. When someone says a phrase such as "clearly confused," the speaker is finding a new way to describe that individual or object. Oxymoron is a figure of speech pairing two words together that are opposing and/or contradictory. An oxymoron is a literary device that juxtaposes contradictory terms. 2023. 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. https://www.thoughtco.com/awfully-good-examples-of-oxymorons-1691814 (accessed March 4, 2023). So how did we arrive at spendthrift for a word for someone who spends money wastefully? [11], Other examples from English-language literature include: the word nascar is an oxymoron mars 15, 2021 by 0 Comments 0 View. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Our site includes quite a bit of content, so if you're having an issue finding what you're looking for, go on ahead and use that search feature there! These word pairings are not inherently opposite, but their individual concepts can seem contradictory when combined. The N Word is a figure of speech - a racist and hateful figure of speech. A simpler meaning would be that, it is a set of consecutive words that express conflicting meanings. All rights reserved. that juxtaposes contradictory terms. For example, just pairing any two words that are contradictory wont make for an effective oxymoron. 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. Oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines two normally contradictory terms think "deafening silence," "wise fool" or "cruel kindness.". This contradiction is also known as aparadox. An oxymoron is a figure of speech, usually one or two words, in which seemingly contradictory terms appear side by side. 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. It comes from the Greek words osks, meaning sharp or keen, and mors meaning dull or foolish. An example of such a "comical oxymoron" is "educational television": the humour derives entirely from the claim that it is an oxymoron by the implication that "television" is so trivial as to be inherently incompatible with "education". (Old news, anyone?) Consider these paradox examples: You have to spend money to make money. O loving hate! But in some instances, a single word is all it takes. Copyright Penlighten & Buzzle.com, Inc. 'when they are silent, they cry out'), 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, Learn a new word every day. 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. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Read literally, they contradict themselves. The word "oxymoron" is derived from Greek a combination of oxy- meaning keen or sharp and -mrs meaning dull or foolish. Sometimes they're used to create a little bit of drama for the reader; sometimes they're used to make a person stop and think, whether that's to laugh or to wonder. 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. and An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines two seemingly contradictory or opposite ideas to create a certain rhetorical or poetic effect and reveal a deeper truth. "Saturday Night Live transcripts." Like other kinds of figurative language, oxymorons (or oxymora) are often found in literature. 6 Critically Acclaimed Female Authors You Should Read Before You Die, These Favorite Childrens Book Quotes Will Take You Back In Time, Survival Books Fiction: 5 Fascinating Tales to Read in 2021, Must Read Fiction Books: 5 Essential Literature Classics, Non Fiction War Books: 5 Essential True Stories About War and Peace, Fiction Books for 2nd Graders: 5 Essentials to Add to your Shelves. When a single word contains two conflicting ideas. Oxymorons are common, often unconscious, literary devices. The violent display ultimately led to thousands of deaths and injuries. O anything of nothing first create! Usually, oxymorons are made up of just two words, but paradoxes are complete sentences, sometimes entire paragraphs. 1. We use oxymorons because they make effective titles in literature or film, and add dramatic effect, for example, Dead Man Walking, Mr. the word nascar is an oxymoron. - 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! William Shakespeare was known to sprinkle them throughout his plays, poems, and sonnets. Well provide oxymoron examples and provide guidance on how theyre used, but first, lets look at a more thorough oxymoron definition. An oxymoron is a literary device combining oppositional words to create a unique word or phrase. Next, read up on what an aphorism is and how its used. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Still-waking sleep, that is not what it is! Nordquist, Richard. The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points, How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer. An oxymoron is a consecutive set of words that have contradictory meanings. Now you can see that oxymorons add humor or drama to speech or writing, allowing you to make a funny or pointed remark. You mightve heard of another literary device called the paradox, which is similar but not identical to the oxymoron. As rhetorical devices, oxymorons have been used in many different mediums from political speeches to novels to stage plays. "damn with faint praise" (Pope),[15] 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. As a literary device, it is used to make certain word combinations more thought-provoking to stand out. Placing contrasting words next to each other makes each one stand out more, just like placing contrasting colors together. Because of this, an oxymoron is often referred to as a contradiction in terms. [20] Jane Austen, Emma, 1815. They're not always small, and the word doesn't mean small in this sense. Sometimes they're used to create a little bit of drama for the reader; sometimes they're used to make a person stop and think, whether that's to laugh or to wonder. One of the most famous examples of a paradox is thesentence, "This statement is false." Oxymorons are often used poetically as a way of bringing out a fresh meaning in a word or phrase. 1, 'Cattywampus' and Other Funny-Sounding Words. "conventionally unconventional", "tortuous spontaneity" (Henry James)[17] Its a somewhat regional word for a small convenience-type grocery store, often used in business names (Carsons Superette). The common oxymoron phrase is a combination of an adjective followed by a noun with contrasting meanings. Similarly, "choice" implies more than one option, which is contradicted by "only," which implies the opposite. Copyright 2023 Literary Devices. Here are some of our favorite oxymoron examples. marekuliasz / iStock / Getty Images Plus. Oxymorons are an excellent, thought-provoking tool to use in writing, but they're certainly not the only device you should work with. oxymoron definition: 1. two words or phrases used together that have, or seem to have, opposite meanings: 2. two words. doug lamborn voting record June 23, 2022 the word nascar is an oxymoron A common oxymoron is the phrase "the same difference." That makes oxymorons a serious option in word choice. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines two seemingly contradictory or opposite ideas to create a certain rhetorical or poetic effect and reveal a deeper truth. In other words, oxymorons are contradictive words or phrases used intentionally to create an effect. "100 Awfully Good Examples of Oxymorons." Im the most terrific liar you ever saw in your life. ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score, How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League, Is the ACT easier than the SAT? We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 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. Like a paradox, an oxymoron is whats known as a contradiction in terms, although oxymorons and paradoxes are two different things, as explained below. This presents the word. 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. [22], Similarly, the term "civil war" is sometimes jokingly referred to as an "oxymoron" (punning on the lexical meanings of the word "civil"). the word nascar is an oxymoron. The scope of a paradox can go much deeper, drawing on complicated themes and philosophical concepts. For example, "virtual reality" consists of contradictory terms that form a new meaning. Or plastic silverware. Check out the funniest accidental, and intentional, malapropism examples as well. the word nascar is an oxymoron. . The best way to make money is to spend money. Learn all about effective imageryandwhat personification is with our expert guides. Here are some of the more famous oxymoron examples from historical literature: With loads of learned lumber in his head . This famous quotation from Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet contains an equally famous oxymoron. no longer a productive compound in English, but loaned as a compound from a different language), as with pre-posterous (lit. Well also provide you with an extensive list of oxymoronsso you can get a better feel for what oxymorons look and sound like. Alexander Pope, An Essay on Criticism, Of melancholy merriment, to quote.
