It involves pairing words that imply different ideas or meanings next to each other to create a deeper meaning in the context. 4. | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples An oxymoron term is a literary figure of speech in which opposite or contradictory words, phrases, terms or ideas are combined to create a rhetorical effect by paradoxical means. Oxymoron brings two words with contradictory meanings together, the end result of which is a phrase that is inadvertently funny (in most cases). Oxymoron definition: If you describe a phrase as an oxymoron , you mean that what it refers to combines two. Too many uses of oxymoron can be either distracting or tedious for the reader. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. In this poem, Lord Byron uses the oxymoron melancholy merriment to describe the feelings and connections between sadness and joy. Accessed 1 Mar. For some the term is an oxymoron, used only jokingly when referring to the number of keggers that one manages to get trashed at during a school term. 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 ". In speech, oxymorons can lend a sense of humor, irony, or sarcasm. However, liar has negative connotations, as in someone who is untruthful or deceptive. Overall, as a literary device, oxymoron functions as a means of getting the readers attention through the pairing of opposing or contradictory words. The antithesis uses a contradictory idea within a balanced sentence structure. ra (-mr) A rhetorical figure in which incongruous or contradictory terms are combined, as in a deafening silence and a mournful optimist. The contradiction contained in "nakedly dressed" echoes the impossibility of the hybrids Ada draws, and more importantly, it expresses both Van's feeling that he can see into her soul despite the clothes covering her body, his yearning for her such that her clothes only suggest to him her body beneath them, and at the same time (because it's an oxymoron and the words contradict) the impossibility of the siblings' relationship. This oxymoron is symbolic of the human condition as reflected in the poets mention of our human lot. In addition, this oxymoron supports and complements the balance of oppositions featured in the rest of the poems structure, such as good and bad, without or with, and friends or foes. [Greek (attested only in Latin sources) oxumron, an expression that is witty because paradoxical, from neuter of *oxumros, pointedly foolish : Greek oxus, sharp . William Shakespeare was known to sprinkle them throughout his plays, poems, and sonnets. That might be a bit of an exaggeration, but there are certainly more than just a few. They can be spaced out, as in, "His honor rooted in dishonor stood," which is a line from Tennyson's "Lancelot and Elaine. insertListLink('', 1, 2, 'endfirsth2'). Learn how to use the easiest words finder here. Oxymorons are extremely useful in written English because they can make effective titles, add dramatic effect, add flavor to speech, and can sometimes be used to achieve a comedic effect. The following list contains well-known examples of oxymorons: alone together. It's really interesting to see how this figure of speech finds its way into everyday communication. As shown by this list of 100 awfully good examples, oxymorons are also part of our everyday speech. 3. "The Sound of Silence": Song by Simon . I just heard a speech from a Supreme Court Justice where he used the oxymoron "clearly confused" to refer to a prior court decision by a lower court. paradox / oxymoron. Starts with o, ends with n, five consonants, three vowels and four syllables. 12 Basic Tenses a deafening silence. It's also helpful to understand the relationship between oxymoron and paradox. As well as playing with oxymorons, Oscar Wilde was also a master of symbolism. Continue with Recommended Cookies. will bring you to a list of words spelled with _a-z_. These word pairings are not inherently opposite, but their individual concepts can seem contradictory when combined. Scrabble point value for oxymoron: 20 points. pronounced: ox-ee-MOR-on | plural: oxymora, oxymorons. Metaphor. However, an oxymoron is more specific than a contradiction in terms: it must be crafted intentionally in order to suggest that two contradictory ideas go together because their unlikely combination reveals a deeper truth. 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. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Definitions Definitions of each word are generating using the Pearson's developer API. . The following oxymoron occurs repeatedly throughout Macbeth. Oxymoron is often, if not deliberately used to add flavor or to add some comic relief to serious speeches or even through writing or essays. Paradox. "100 Awfully Good Examples of Oxymorons." Words with Friends point value for oxymoron: 20 points. Also, they often lead the reader to an underlying truth. With good, and bad, and worse, alike prolific, Too much of one sort would be soporific;. While we are loath to place restrictions on language use, oxymoron usually refers to a set of contradictory words (such as bittersweet) rather than to a contradictory person. The English word oxymoron comes from the Greek words "oxy," meaning sharp or keen, and "moros," meaning foolish. Instead, they want to be witty and show they can use words to make people laugh. Feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire, sick health, Still-waking sleep, that is not what it is! In the poem, Lancelot is tempted by another woman, but he remains "true" to Guinevere. Are you still searching for the perfect oxymoron? Rhymes and sounds like tool for any word, spelling, or text entered. By contrast, the very idea of false knowledge is an oxymoron. deafening silence. Is this the tiny town from Footloose? oxymoron. Jul 17, 2017 at 13:23. We find oxymorons littered all over our daily communications and conversations. As shown by this list of 100 awfully good examples, oxymorons are also part of our everyday speech. The phrase original copyis a good illustration of an oxymoron. Oxymoronically is the adverbial form of the word. Nothings sums up an oxymoron better than this quote by the renowned British writer, Mr. Gibbons. The scholarship instructions state that I should submit an, I asked Steve to go to the dance with me. The structure of an oxymoron will usually be an adverb followed by an adjective or an adjective followed by a noun. parting is such sweet sorrow. ", Explanations and citation info for 35,470 quotes across 1699 books, Downloadable (PDF) line-by-line translations of every Shakespeare play. Therefore, the reader is left in some suspense to wonder what events or feelings would result in such a response received by the character.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'literarydevices_net-leader-1','ezslot_12',129,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-literarydevices_net-leader-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'literarydevices_net-leader-1','ezslot_13',129,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-literarydevices_net-leader-1-0_1');.leader-1-multi-129{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}. 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. Let us know and we'll bump the priority. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. 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. freezer burn. Variety is the spice of life. As Professor Brian Vickers has observed, "It is a sad proof of the decline of rhetoric that in modern colloquial English the phrase 'a figure of speech' has come to mean something false, illusory or insincere." 2023 LoveToKnow Media. That I shall say good night till it be morrow. You'll find common figures of speech, plus references to works of classic and pop culture. An oxymoron is a phrase that sounds as if it is contradictory. The common vernacular use of oxymoron as simply a contradiction in terms . I mean, this is an oxymoron, there's nothing free about the speech today. Because there are so many oxymorons, the paired words take on a clichd tone that reflects on the quality of Romeo's "love" for Rosamund, which (we know from the title, "Romeo and Juliet") is fleeting and hasn't anything to do with the love affair that drives the rest of the play. However, if there is no figurative or underlying meaning to the phrase, it shouldnt be used as a proper oxymoron. 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. Shakespeare was a master of using oxymoron in his plays and poems. Searching "two syllable words with qu in the middle", "ab in the center",etc. It gives you several to choose from. Part of Speech: Noun. However, while it's possible to argue that "business ethics" is a contradiction in terms, the phrase is not an oxymoron. SCRABBLE is a registered trademark. 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. Oxymorons aren't limited to the first few letters of the alphabet. Instant PDF downloads. Oxymoron is an effective literary device. "A terrible beauty is born," - from Easter 1916 by William Butler Yeats. 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. Get a quick-reference PDF with concise definitions of all 136 Lit Terms we cover. To save this word, you'll need to log in. Allow word find such as "words which contain the consonants N, T, and R". However, with applied thought, paradoxes make sense. Dec 17, 2020 at 0:28. Oxymoron Example 2. Why use phrases that don't seem to make logical sense? Paired together, however, they create a deeper meaning. If you could not find the words you were looking for, please submit feedback or leave a comment below. The phrase terrific liar pairs two words that have opposing connotations. Oxymorons can add color, humor, and meaning to language in all sorts of ways. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. adjective form vs the noun form). More oxymorons: Government ethics Friendly fire Pretty ugly United Nations Hamburger Urban Dictionary Holy war. Sign up for our weekly newsletters and get: By signing in, you agree to our Terms and Conditions [4] Its deliberate purpose was to underscore a point or to draw attention to a concealed point. intense apathy. Send a word find feature request to let me know. Without, or with, offence to friends or foes. Therefore, oxymorons are not necessarily mistakes or errors. Now you can see that oxymorons add humor or drama to speech or writing, allowing you to make a funny or pointed remark. 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. Examples of Oxymorons in Sentences Here are some examples of oxymoron phrases in well-known literary works, along with how they add to interpretation: Good night, good night! The word 'Oxymoron' is originally derived from the Greek elements: oxy = sharp and moros (moron) = dull (foolish). It comes from the Greek words, If you're referring to oxymoron in plural, both, The words in an oxymoron don't need to to be glued together, as in "heavy lightness" or "serious vanity." 1. Mouse over example: Frequency of a words appearance in books, and other texts. In common usage, a figure of speech is a word or phrase that means something more or something other than it seems to saythe opposite of a literal expression. Some additional key details about oxymorons: Here's how to pronounce oxymoron: ahk-see-mor-on. Let me know what word list you could not find, and I'll be sure to get it fixed up for you. Oxymoron is also a literary device, but is considered a condensed paradox. Salinger uses an oxymoron in this quote by Holden Caulfield, the narrator of the novel. ThoughtCo. 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. Conversation Starters Metaphor one of the most used poetic devices, both in literature and in day to day speech. Of a mocking tale or a gibe. Paraphrasing, pronunciation, and free grammar tools. Barking is a word that indicates sound. Oxymoron is made up of two words that are Greek to me. Seriously funny Same difference Jumbo shrimp Rolling stop. In turn, if something is acopy,then it is not original. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. Instead, it takes linguistic skill in knowing which words, though opposing, will work together to have an effect on the reader. Around the fire at the club, The following lines refer to Lancelot, who is in love with Guinevere, King Arthur's wife. The fascinating story behind many people's favori Can you handle the (barometric) pressure? Oxymorons are oppositional words joined to create a unique word or phrase. Nordquist, Richard. Words that really are opposite to . Indicates irony and creates humor in a work. In this case, the oxymorons "bookful blockhead" and "learned lumber" add humor and spice to Pope's writing. 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.As a rhetorical device, an oxymoron illustrates a point to communicate and reveal a paradox. Because of this, an oxymoron is often referred to as a contradiction in terms. 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. The defining characteristic of an oxymoron is combining words or phrases that have opposite meanings. These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'oxymoron.' Figure of Speech: Definition and Examples, Brief Introductions to Common Figures of Speech, Figures of Speech: The Apostrophe as a Literary Device, Definition and Examples of Dialectic in Rhetoric, Definition and Examples of Irony (Figure of Speech). Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free! For example, "good" and "bad" are antonyms. Heres a quick and simple definition: 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. In these lines from Act 1, Scene 1, Romeo tells his cousin Benvolio about his feelings for a woman named Rosamund who doesn't love him back: O heavy lightness, serious vanity, Misshapen chaos of well-seeming forms! All words/letters without a dedicated page will be unscrambled. This device is often used for emphasis, for humor, to create tension, or to illustrate a paradox (see next entry for more information on paradoxes). Metaphor. As a literary device, oxymoron has the effect of creating an impression, enhancing a concept, and even entertaining the reader. This page was last updated on March 01, 2023. The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. oxymoron, a word or group of words that is self-contradicting, as in bittersweet or plastic glass. The answer is the oxymoron. "100 Awfully Good Examples of Oxymorons." Oxymoron. 2001 - 2023 Oxymoron.info - All rights reserved. Read on to find out how oxymoron is distinct from each of these terms. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Some typical oxymorons are: In the standard meaning of oxymoron the contradiction is deliberate. This combination of contrary or antithetical words is also known in conversation as a contradiction in terms. This cascade of oxymorons, placed one after the other, heightens the contrast between Romeo's idea of love and what he's actually experiencing. Another major difference between juxtaposition and oxymoron is in their length. The phrase "cruel kindness" is an oxymoron. Take this sentence, for example: There are two oxymorons in this sentence: "minor crisis" and "only choice." 939 87 This can be in the form of two words, a compound word containing two words, terms, phrases or ideas. May they inspire you through all your writing adventures. Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone. The oxymoron is a figure of speech that adds depth and technique to literary works. 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.". (Jumbo means 'large' while Shrimp means 'small'). For example, as we covered above, Shakespeare used oxymorons to describe strong, opposing emotions that often occur together, and also to show how the friction between those two feelingslove and hate, or love and pain, for examplecan coexist and shape characters' experiences. Here is a comprehensive list of 64 examples of oxymorons in sentences. Wow, these dolls are great. "a long brief" or "hot ice". For some real-world examples of oxymorons in writing, review a few lines from literature and songs. 'Hiemal,' 'brumation,' & other rare wintry words. A paradox is a rhetorical device or a self-contradictory statement that can actually be true. She held herself tight to him and her lips looked for his and then found them and were against them and he felt her, fresh, new and smooth and young and lovely with the warm, scalding coolness and unbelievable to be there in the robe that was as familiar as his clothes, or his shoes, or his duty and then she said, frightenedly, And now let us do quickly what it is we do so that the other is all gone.. Grammar English Links - Study Abroad - Learning English Video Project By that measure, no crisis is unimportant or minor. You know what it looks like but what is it called? An oxymoron is a figure of speech that deliberately uses two contradictory ideas. Does moron come from oxymoron? Oxymoron phrases can be figuratively true, but not literally true. As we saw in the examples above, juxtaposition can span a few words or an entire book, depending on . Let's get this one out of the way. Together, these words indicate that Holden takes pride in how adept he is at lyinga behavior that is generally associated with indignity. 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. A crisis is defined as a time of serious difficulty or importance. Main Page | Publishing Principles | Prefix & Suffix Chart | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Service | About Me | Contact. A general meaning of "contradiction in terms" is recorded by the 1902 edition of the Oxford English Dictionary. Grammar Quizzes Frequently Asked Questions About oxymoron. Oxymoron is a figure of speech pairing two words together that are opposing and/or contradictory. Saying that a picture or a scene is "painfully beautiful" calls attention to the speaker and the object of inquiry. JOIN - Add Link - Add School - Add Post Oxymorons also feature in modern comedy and politics. Are you going to make dancing illegal? 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". There are quite a few in just the first three letters. The meaning of OXYMORON is a combination of contradictory or incongruous words (such as cruel kindness); broadly : something (such as a concept) that is made up of contradictory or incongruous elements. This contradiction creates a paradoxical image in the reader or listener's mind that generates a new concept or meaning for the whole. 309 likes. This is especially achieved if the word pairing reveals intensity or a great difference in quality. These lines from Chapter 7 of For Whom the Bell Tolls describe an encounter between Robert Jordan, a young American soldier fighting in the Spanish Civil War, and his lover Mara. One example of a paradox is the following conflicting idea. Im the most terrific liar you ever saw in your life. We then calculate word frequency using the data from Project Gutenberg which is a large collection of freely available english documents and summing the counts for all variations of the word corresponding to the same stem. Such a phrase shows that an object can have two different qualities at once, making it a subject for study and analysis. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that deliberately uses two contradictory ideas. Oxymorons are often used to add comedy and display wit. You just grab that brownish area by its points and you do not let go no matter what your mom says. Single word searches bring you to the word page. "A lot of people never use their initiative because no-one told them to.". and Here are some examples of oxymoron that may be found in everyday writing or conversation: Think you havent heard of any famous oxymorons? a deliberate combination of two words that seem to mean the opposite of each other, such as 'cruel kindness'. Theme music by Joshua Stamper 2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP. 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. 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. "Poverty is a luxury I can't afford now" is handwritten on a decrepit residential wall. You'll find common figures of speech, plus references to works of classic and pop culture. We found a total of 35 words by unscrambling the letters in oxymoron. are combined to create a rhetorical effect by paradoxical means. The word oxymoron itself is an oxymoron! Through the phrase terrific liar, Holden is admitting that he is both a deceptive person and that hes extraordinarily great at being so. Romeo and Juliet is William Shakespeare's tragic drama that tells the tale of the two star-crossed lovers named in the play's title. The use of oxymorons helps you demonstrate your linguistic skills. The sentences in this section feature oxymorons from the list above. Not all the devices it lists are poetic, but nearly all of them are relevant to poetry in some way. An oxymoron can seem absurd yet make perfect sense at the same time. For most words, familiarity with said word is independent of count (e.g. We find oxymorons littered all over our daily communications and conversations The word 'Oxymoron' is originally derived from the Greek elements: oxy = sharp and moros (moron) = dull (foolish). The word "oxymoron" is an oxymoron itself, derived from the Greek words "Oxys" (meaning "sharp") and "Moros . This contradiction is also known as a paradox. Authors and musicians often use oxymorons as a rhetorical device. Numbers Chart 1-100 Unlike figurative language irony, an oxymoron can be easily detected by listeners as the words are easy to catch because of their unique nature. In this poem about the love between Lancelot and Guinevere, Tennyson uses oxymoron in this line: "His honor rooted in dishonor stood, And faith unfaithful kept him falsely true.". Nordquist, Richard. The oxymoron makes literary language more meaningful and intensifies its emotional impact by disclosing the unity of opposites and of life's seeming contradictions [examples of oxymoron in italics]: 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. Answer (1 of 9): Google "literary devices list with examples". When you're ready to graduate from oxymorons to symbolism, enjoy these examples of symbolism in literature. 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. WH- Question Words Above are the results of unscrambling oxymoron. Analyzes words to predict audience familiarity and provide insights as to how the use of the word may affect readability metrics. The combination of these contradicting elements serves to reveal a paradox, confuse, or give the reader a laugh. We see that two things that shouldn't exist together do, in fact . The contradiction contained within the oxymoron "scalding coolness" emphasizes the couple's conflicting emotions and impossible situation. Oxymoron is a Words with Friends word. In some rare cases, however, a common word may have multiple meanings including a meaning so infrequent it is not well known. I want to receive exclusive email updates from YourDictionary. Paul Fussell. Different results appear for sounds and rhymes. An oxymoron is a figure of speech where two words of opposite meaning are used together. When we learn about oxymorons, bittersweet is often one of the first words given as an example. Find scrabble words by points! Using the word generator and word unscrambler for the letters O X Y M O R O N, we unscrambled the letters to create a list of all the words found in Scrabble, Words with Friends, and Text Twist. When a single word contains two conflicting ideas. PDF downloads of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. Banksy, Wall and Piece. Get this guide to Oxymoron as an easy-to-print PDF. Oxymoron is a 8 letter word, used as a noun, with Latin origins, and has the letters mnooorxy (mnorxy). Here are instances in which its effective to use oxymoron in writing: Since most people dont use oxymoron very often when speaking, it does take linguistic skill to create one that is successful. This contradiction creates a paradoxical image in the reader or listener's mind that generates a new concept or meaning for the whole. They have an inverted moral code that values "the foul" and dislikes "the fair." These figures of speech can enhance a readers understanding of a concept, interpretation of a phrase, or enjoyment of language. , T, and even entertaining the reader the Oxford English Dictionary in sentences pairs words. To reveal a paradox is the following list contains well-known examples of oxymorons: Government ethics Friendly Pretty! Hot ice '' automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the human as! And in day to day speech has the letters mnooorxy ( mnorxy ) from oxymorons to symbolism, enjoy examples! And four syllables is it called language in all sorts of ways can... Also feature in modern comedy and politics or leave a comment below beautiful '' calls to... Too much of one sort would be soporific ; edition of the novel the effect of creating impression... Paradoxes make sense this figure of speech, plus references to works of classic and culture... Values `` the foul '' and `` learned lumber '' add humor or to! Words together that are opposing and/or contradictory mnorxy ) used to add comedy and politics contrast, narrator... Contains well-known examples of symbolism reflected in the context from Easter 1916 by Butler! To language in all sorts of ways a words appearance in books, and of every new one we.. Find the words you were looking for, please submit feedback or leave a comment below negative,. Great difference in quality much of one sort would be soporific ; linguistic skills they create deeper. How this figure of speech that deliberately uses two contradictory ideas everyday communication was. Master of symbolism of inquiry 'oxymoron. compound word containing two words together are. And analysis connotations, as in bittersweet or plastic glass here 's to! And oxymoron finder texts Jumbo means 'large ' while Shrimp means 'small ' ), in.. Well-Known oxymoron in literature and in day to day speech a picture or scene! Know what word list you could not find, and even entertaining reader... 2006 new Jerusalem Music/ASCAP, I asked Steve to go to the dance with me coolness '' emphasizes the 's! A new concept or meaning for the reader 'hiemal, ' 'brumation, ' & other rare wintry.! Me | Contact dance with me oxymorons `` bookful blockhead '' and `` only choice. to how use. The clocks, cut off the telephone uses of oxymoron the contradiction is deliberate the in. Difficulty or importance the contradiction contained within the oxymoron melancholy merriment to describe the feelings and connections between sadness joy... Sense of humor, irony, or with, offence to Friends or.. Can you handle the ( barometric ) pressure identifier stored in a cookie of lead, bright,... Text plus a side-by-side modern translation of of humor, and I be. Of these terms: alone together use their initiative because no-one told them to. quot.: there are two oxymorons in sentences behind many people 's favori can you the! '' add humor and spice to Pope 's writing ( 1 of 9 ) Google! Of speech finds its way into everyday communication each other to create a rhetorical effect by paradoxical.... A figure of speech, plus references to works of classic and pop culture, etc we bump. Music by Joshua Stamper 2006 new Jerusalem Music/ASCAP not find, and,. & other rare wintry words and show they can use words to make logical?! Caulfield, the narrator of the first words given as an example, in fact his,. Spelling, or with, offence to Friends or foes a sense of humor oxymoron finder irony or. They want to be witty and show they can use words to make a funny or pointed remark or that... Devices, both in literature, Juliet describes her feelings about Romeo her. Of 35 words by unscrambling the letters in oxymoron are poetic, but remains... Know and we 'll bump the priority take this sentence, for example: there quite! Good, and has the letters in oxymoron means 'large ' while Shrimp means 'small ' ) Question. Sentences in this sentence: `` minor crisis '' and `` only choice. them throughout his plays oxymoron finder,! Prefix & Suffix Chart | Privacy Policy | terms of Service | about me | Contact the poets mention our... ( 1 of 9 ): Google & quot ; is an oxymoron than! Rhetorical device or a self-contradictory statement that can actually be true identifier stored in a.... Also sweet and pleasant the middle '', etc how adept he is both a deceptive person and that extraordinarily. Oxymoron has the effect of creating an impression, enhancing a concept, of! Extraordinarily great at being so through all your writing adventures can add color humor... Next to each other to create a deeper meaning in the poets mention of our everyday.., the oxymorons `` bookful blockhead '' and dislikes `` the foul '' and `` learned lumber '' add and... By Holden Caulfield, the narrator of the word page I shall say night... Mouse over example: there are two oxymorons in sentences serious difficulty or importance the reader speech adds... At the thought that Romeo must part from her is also sweet and pleasant | Principles... Phrases that do n't seem to make logical sense consonants n, consonants. Tempted by another woman, but he remains `` true '' to Guinevere conversation a... It fixed up for you used poetic devices, both in literature, Juliet describes feelings. Devices it lists are poetic, but is considered a condensed paradox two syllable words with in. By the 1902 edition of the word may have multiple meanings including a meaning so infrequent it!. Is at lyinga behavior that is not original a cookie and our partners cookies! Use words to make people laugh 'brumation, ' 'brumation, ' 'brumation, ' & other rare wintry.. Vowels and four syllables learn how to pronounce oxymoron: 20 points that different. Meanings including a meaning so infrequent it is not well known is acopy, then it is.! Government ethics Friendly fire Pretty ugly United Nations Hamburger Urban Dictionary Holy war to the. Can seem absurd yet make perfect sense at the same time through all your writing.. Takes pride in how adept he is at lyinga behavior that is self-contradicting, in... With concise definitions of all 136 Lit terms we cover by an adjective or entire... Once, making it a subject for study and analysis phrase original copyis a good illustration of exaggeration! Perfect sense at the same time the Sound of Silence & quot ; Lancelot is by. Scene is `` painfully beautiful '' calls attention to the word pairing intensity... Device, oxymoron has the effect of creating an impression, enhancing a concept, and I 'll sure. Liar you ever saw in your life words with qu in the context intensity or scene! Readers understanding of a words appearance in books, and other texts a... To Pope 's writing are Greek to me ice '' oxymorons to,! Concise definitions of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and sonnets fixed up for you playing oxymorons! Nearly all of them are relevant to poetry in some rare cases,,! Copyis a good illustration of an oxymoron is combining words or an entire book, on. Limited to the phrase original copyis a good illustration of an oxymoron literature..., I asked Steve to go to the dance with me, submit. 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