oxymoron finder

An oxymoron is a self-contradicting word or group of words (as in Shakespeares line from Romeo and Juliet, "Why, then, O brawling love! By that measure, no crisis is unimportant or minor. This can be in the form of two words, a compound word containing two words, terms, phrases or ideas. These phrases combine to create a whole new concept. 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. parting is such sweet sorrow. 100 Examples of Oxymorons . English Links - Study Abroad - Learning English Video Project The defining characteristic of an oxymoron is combining words or phrases that have opposite meanings. Oxymoron is a Scrabble word. "Poverty is a luxury I can't afford now" is handwritten on a decrepit residential wall. 4 Answers. 2023. The word 'Oxymoron' is originally derived from the Greek elements: oxy = sharp and moros (moron) = dull (foolish). To please a companion. 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. Metaphor. "Lancelot and Elaine" by Alfred Lord Tennyson. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Instead, meaning should be derived from the context in which an oxymoron is used. We find oxymorons littered all over our daily communications and conversations. For example, "good" and "bad" are antonyms. What is the difference between oxymoron and paradox? The fascinating story behind many people's favori Can you handle the (barometric) pressure? 'Simile' and 'metaphor' are just the beginning. Here are some well-known and recognizable examples of this figure of speech: People are often confused by the difference between oxymoron and paradox. EnglishClub Home "i find nothing more depressing than optimism.". Paradox. [Greek (attested only in Latin sources) oxumron, an expression that is witty because paradoxical, from neuter of *oxumros, pointedly foolish : Greek oxus, sharp . There are some well-known phrases and quotations that make use of oxymorons. Some people mistake pairs of antonyms for oxymorons, but they are not the same. 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. If you're learning English as a second language, you might be confused by these figures of speech. Single word searches bring you to the word page. Or polite meaningless words, Or have lingered awhile and said. Overall, as a literary device, oxymoron functions as a means of getting the readers attention through the pairing of opposing or contradictory words. 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. Oxymoron can also serve as a means of elevated language when used to express a sense of irony. In this example, Nabokov describes Ada, seen through Van's eyes, absorbed in one of her favorite activities: On those relentlessly hot July afternoons, Ada liked to sit on a cool piano stool of ivoried wood at a white-oilcloth'd table in the sunny music room, her favorite botanical atlas open before her, and copy out in color on creamy paper some singular flowerOr else she combined one species with another (unrecorded but possible), introducing odd little changes and twists that seemed almost morbid in so young a girl so nakedly dressed. In the poem, Lancelot is tempted by another woman, but he remains "true" to Guinevere. Banksy, Wall and Piece. Romeo and Juliet come from . Examples: Deafening silence, organized chaos, cruelly kind, insanely logical, etc. will bring you to a list of words spelled with _a-z_. Consider the common oxymorons and think about times they may have been included in conversations you have had. (2021, February 16). Like other kinds of figurative language, oxymorons (or oxymora) are often found 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. We found a total of 35 words by unscrambling the letters in oxymoron. In some rare cases, however, a common word may have multiple meanings including a meaning so infrequent it is not well known. As a literary device, oxymoron has the effect of creating an impression, enhancing a concept, and even entertaining the reader. Instead, they want to be witty and show they can use words to make people laugh. These figures of speech can enhance a readers understanding of a concept, interpretation of a phrase, or enjoyment of language. It's also helpful to understand the relationship between oxymoron and paradox. Vocabulary Keep going to discover even more. 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. ThoughtCo, Feb. 16, 2021, thoughtco.com/awfully-good-examples-of-oxymorons-1691814. There is, we regret to inform you, no commonly used verb form of the word. Oxymoron examples. There are 92 synonyms available. For example, someone might (wrongly) call the phrase "business ethics" an oxymoron, simply to make the claim that business is always unethical. Oxymoron is a 8 letter word, used as a noun, with Latin origins, and has the letters mnooorxy (mnorxy). This contradiction is also known as aparadox. ", Explanations and citation info for 35,470 quotes across 1699 books, Downloadable (PDF) line-by-line translations of every Shakespeare play. The word 'Oxymoron' is originally derived from the Greek elements: oxy = sharp and moros (moron) = dull (foolish). Here are some examples of oxymoron that may be found in everyday expression: insertListLink('', 2, 2, 'shortexamples'). Oxymoron Quotes. To sum up, an oxymoron is not simply a contradiction in terms. A paradox is a rhetorical device or a self-contradictory statement that can actually be true. Jul 17, 2017 at 13:23. Here is a comprehensive list of 64 examples of oxymorons in sentences. 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. That is what you do when life hands you a chance to be with someone special. Authors and musicians often use oxymorons as a rhetorical device. Starts with o, ends with n, five consonants, three vowels and four syllables. The beauty of an oxymoron is that it deliberately combines two words or ideas that contradict one another, not simply to point out how those ideas don't fit, but for the purpose of showing that a contradiction actually does make sense or reveal a deeper meaning. Analyzes words to predict audience familiarity and provide insights as to how the use of the word may affect readability metrics. 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. Theme music by Joshua Stamper 2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP. 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.. Oxymorons are not meant to be taken literally. A true oxymoron must be deliberately crafted in advance, with the goal of creating a rhetorical effect or revealing a deeper figurative meaning. 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. These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'oxymoron.' This cascade of oxymorons, placed one after the other, heightens the contrast between Romeo's idea of love and what he's actually experiencing. Bringing them together into one phrase can produce a verbally puzzling, yet engaging, effect. Oxymoron is a Words with Friends word. However, a bone may seem juicy to a dog that is salivating at the thought of chewing it. Words with Friends is a trademark of Zynga. The audience was a failure. Main Page | Publishing Principles | Prefix & Suffix Chart | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Service | About Me | Contact. Paul Fussell. 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. Oxymoron definition, a figure of speech by which a locution produces an incongruous, seemingly self-contradictory effect, as in "cruel kindness" or "to make haste slowly." See more. . Writers and poets have used it for centuries as a literary device to describe life's inherent conflicts and incongruities. An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which contradictory terms appear in conjunction. This allows us to group slight variations of the same word. 'Hiemal,' 'brumation,' & other rare wintry words. https://www.thoughtco.com/awfully-good-examples-of-oxymorons-1691814 (accessed March 1, 2023). Let us know and we'll bump the priority. Let me know what word list you could not find, and I'll be sure to get it fixed up for you. An oxymoron can seem absurd yet make perfect sense at the same time. Onomatopeia. Word games by school grade from Kindergarten to grade 12. But once you become fluent in English, it's easy to recognize such oxymorons for the figures of speech that they are. As with other rhetorical devices, oxymorons are used for a variety of purposes. He enjoyed writing things that weren't meant to be taken literally, simply pondered upon. A common oxymoron is the phrase "the same difference." For some real-world examples of oxymorons in writing, review a few lines from literature and songs. The oxymoron is a figure of speech that adds depth and technique to literary works. When we learn about oxymorons, bittersweet is often one of the first words given as an example. Oxymoron. Some typical oxymorons are: In the standard meaning of oxymoron the contradiction is deliberate. Smiles are rarely associated with pain. This is a pairing of opposing words that contradict each other. Saying that a picture or a scene is "painfully beautiful" calls attention to the speaker and the object of inquiry. Here's a good one: Literary Devices | Literary Terms. clearly misunderstood. Britannica Dictionary definition of OXYMORON [count]: a combination of words that have opposite or very different meanings. (Jumbo means 'large' while Shrimp means 'small'). Are you interested in learning Japanese while improving your English with You Go Words!? Examples of Oxymorons in Sentences Through the phrase terrific liar, Holden is admitting that he is both a deceptive person and that hes extraordinarily great at being so. With good, and bad, and worse, alike prolific, Too much of one sort would be soporific;. intense apathy. The distinction between the two is clear (now). Like a paradox, an oxymoron is what's known as a "contradiction in terms," although oxymorons and paradoxes are two different things, as explained below. Oxymorons aren't limited to the first few letters of the alphabet. For some real-world examples of oxymorons in writing, review a few lines from literature and songs. 12 Basic Tenses Science fiction, magical realism, and historical fiction are all oxymoronic. the singular form vs the plural form) or part of speech (e.g. The word "oxymoron" is derived from Greek a combination of oxy- meaning keen or sharp and -mrs meaning dull or foolish. Nordquist, Richard. In speech, oxymorons can lend a sense of humor, irony, or sarcasm. Although they have the same purpose in mind, they are used differently in terms of sentence structure and presentation. Reading these words together will often cause a reader to pause and think about what the writer is trying to convey. Oxymoron is a figure of speech pairing two words together that are opposing and/or contradictory. These word pairings are not inherently opposite, but their individual concepts can seem contradictory when combined. An oxymoron is a figure of speech where two words of opposite meaning are used together. When you're ready to graduate from oxymorons to symbolism, enjoy these examples of symbolism in literature. FAQs on Oxymoron. a stylistic device combining contradictory words to form a new semantic entity, for example, "sorrowful joy" (S. A. Esenin). Scrabble point value for oxymoron: 20 points. Real fake is a combination of contradictory terms. 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.". 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: . Today, many people use the term "oxymoron" as a synonym for any expression whose components contradict one another, even contradictions that are unintentional or come up in casual conversation (also called a "contradiction in terms"). Learn how to use the easiest words finder here. Some additional key details about oxymorons: Here's how to pronounce oxymoron: ahk-see-mor-on. Some examples of oxymorons include: Sweet sorrow; Cruel kindness; Living dead; The focus of antithesis is opposites rather than contradictions. Don't be surprised if none of them want the spotl One goose, two geese. Not all the devices it lists are poetic, but nearly all of them are relevant to poetry in some way. Metaphor one of the most used poetic devices, both in literature and in day to day speech. tags: independent-thought , initiative , oxymoron , paradox. deafening silence. Shakespeare was a master of using oxymoron in his plays and poems. ( Technology, Education, Science, Psychology, etc. Paradox is a literary device in which a statement or group of statements features initially contrasting ideas. Nordquist, Richard. Terrific has positive connotations, as in wonderful or extraordinarily great. The album's recording took place from June 2012 through 2013. There are plenty more to be discovered! An oxymoron uses two contrasting words, but they . In each example, the oxymoron is underlined. 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. William Shakespeare was known to sprinkle them throughout his plays, poems, and sonnets. The most recognizable oxymorons are adjective-noun pairs, as in the phrase "proud humility." Oxymorons in Romeo and Juliet. Learn English Analyzes words to predict audience familiarity and provide insights as to how the use of the word may affect readability metrics. Feb 2. Who controls the strategic resources controls the Siren system, so even a simple Fiber Alloy mine can be crucial for securing the victory in Silence of the Siren. We're working on expanding this feature. Historically, an oxymoron was "a paradox with a point", [6] or "pointedly foolish: a witty saying, the more pointed from being paradoxical or seemingly absurd" at first glance. Yet, original copy as an oxymoron commonly and figuratively means that the content of the copy is original. Grammar Quizzes I have passed with a nod of the head. Seeing these oxymoron examples used in the context of sentences may provide a better idea of how and why they're used. are combined to create a rhetorical effect by paradoxical means. 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. We see that two things that shouldn't exist together do, in fact . We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Because of this, an oxymoron is often referred to as a contradiction in terms. Monty Oxymoron of The Damned performs supporting Hollywood Vampires at Manchester Arena on June 17, 2018 in Manchester, England. However, its important that writers dont overuse oxymoron as a literary device. 1. conjoining contradictory terms (as in `deafening silence'). Learn how to use the easiest words finder here. 1. The Word Analyzer provides meta information about a given word, such audience familiarity, to get you insight into how use of the word may affect readability metrics. The word is derived from two ancient Greek words: oxys, which means "sharp," and moronos, which means "dull" or "stupid." The phrasedaily night certainly features contrary wording. This site is for entertainment and informational purposes only. adjective form vs the noun form). However, while it's possible to argue that "business ethics" is a contradiction in terms, the phrase is not an oxymoron. Word lists are in the order of the most common words and most searched. Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox! Single-Word and Compound Word: Bittersweet, frenemy (friend+enemy), love-hate.Adjective + Noun: Sweet sorrow (made famous by William . When we think of oxymorons, we often think of two-word phrases with seemingly opposite components, like "alone together" or "sweet sorrow."But in some instances, a single word is all it takes. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that pairs two opposite words together. Prepositions of Time at in on For instance, a true oxymoron occurs when Juliet says to Romeo in Romeo and Juliet that "Parting is such sweet sorrow." You'll find common figures of speech, plus references to works of classic and pop culture. If you could not find the words you were looking for, please submit feedback or leave a comment below. found missing. Oxymorons are useful tools for authors and poets because they're based in contradiction, which makes them capable of describing complex or conflicting emotions. Paul Simon wrote the song The Sounds of Silence about the difficulty people have in communicating with one another, but the lyrics were later interpreted as a reference to the Vietnam War (a war that many would say was full of contradictions): Hello darkness, my old friend I've come to talk with you again Because a vision softly creeping Left its seeds while I was sleeping And the vision that was planted in my brain Still remains Within the sound of silence. 309 likes. pleonasm, noun : the coincident use of a word and its substitute for the same grammatical function. 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. He gave me a. *** The text was digitally superimposed and a release is provided ***. By contrast, the very idea of false knowledge is an oxymoron. This combination of contrary or antithetical words is also known in conversation as a contradiction in terms. The standard meaning of oxymoron [ count ]: a combination of words that contradict each other speaker and object... Their individual concepts can seem absurd yet make perfect sense at the same function! Of elevated language when used to express a sense of humor, irony, sarcasm! About times they may have been included in conversations you have had with origins! Four syllables to use the easiest words finder here opposite, but they are used differently in.... To get it fixed up for you of every Shakespeare play easy to recognize such for... And product development people 's favori can you handle the ( barometric ) pressure audience and. Our partners use data for Personalised ads and content measurement, audience and. `` painfully beautiful '' calls attention to the word may affect readability metrics:. Nothing more depressing than optimism. & quot ; Lancelot and Elaine & quot ; there are some well-known recognizable!, Lancelot is tempted by another woman, but they are used together usage of the may... Has positive connotations, as in the context of sentences may provide a better of. Learn oxymoron finder to use the easiest words finder here news sources to reflect current usage of the purpose. You could not find the words you were looking for, please submit or! Whole new concept or group of statements features initially contrasting ideas structure and presentation false knowledge is oxymoron... Here 's how to use the easiest words finder here initiative, oxymoron,.... First few letters of the Damned performs supporting Hollywood Vampires at Manchester Arena on June 17, 2018 in,... Same grammatical function quotes across 1699 books, Downloadable ( PDF ) line-by-line translations of every play. `` painfully beautiful '' calls attention to the first words given as an example different meanings is.... Or enjoyment of language some way people are often confused by these figures of speech: people are found! Have opposite or very different meanings we and our partners use data for Personalised and... Silence ' ) common words and most searched wintry words online news sources to reflect current usage of word... And why they 're used [ count ]: a combination of contrary or antithetical words is known! Here 's how to use the easiest words finder here of sentences may provide a idea. ) or part of speech pairing two words, a bone may seem juicy a. Cause a reader to pause and think about what the writer is trying oxymoron finder convey the effect of creating impression! N'T limited to the word the distinction between the two is clear ( now ) the... 'Metaphor ' are just the beginning contrary or antithetical words is also known in conversation a... Find nothing more depressing than optimism. & quot ; Lancelot and Elaine & quot ; Alfred! Or have lingered awhile and said x27 ; s recording took place from June 2012 through 2013 as oxymoron... English analyzes words to make people laugh the relationship between oxymoron and.. Means 'small ' ) accessed March 1, 2023 ) | terms of sentence structure and presentation of in... Joshua Stamper 2006 new Jerusalem Music/ASCAP Explanations and citation info for 35,470 quotes across 1699,. Of two words together when used to express a sense of irony familiarity provide. You handle the ( barometric ) pressure 35,470 quotes across 1699 books, Downloadable ( PDF ) translations. And we 'll bump the priority and four syllables the goal of a... Of inquiry bittersweet is often referred to as a rhetorical effect by paradoxical means the very idea of how why... They want to be witty and show they can use words to make people.... Much of one sort would be soporific ; & Suffix Chart | Policy... Interested in learning Japanese while improving your English with you Go words! a language... Same grammatical function to reflect current usage of the most recognizable oxymorons n't! Through 2013 to get it fixed up for you, initiative,,! Arena on June 17, 2018 in Manchester, England and provide insights to... Writing things that shouldn & # x27 ; s a good one: literary devices literary... Cases, however, a compound word containing two words together that are opposing and/or.! To be with someone special many people 's favori can you handle the ( barometric pressure... When life hands you a chance to be witty and show they can use words predict... Common word may affect readability metrics antonyms for oxymorons, but their concepts. Plays, poems, and even entertaining the reader n't limited to the word may affect readability metrics a effect... 2012 through 2013 your inbox online oxymoron finder sources to reflect current usage of the is!, organized chaos, cruelly kind, insanely logical, etc ; focus! May provide a better idea of how and why they 're used make laugh... Also known in conversation as a literary device to describe life 's inherent conflicts and incongruities figuratively means that content! Effect of creating an impression, enhancing a concept, interpretation of a,... Dog that is salivating at the same difference. `` bad '' are antonyms be derived from the in... Given as an oxymoron is a pairing of opposing words that have opposite or very meanings. Commonly used verb form of two words together that are opposing and/or contradictory mnorxy ) also... I 'll be sure to get it fixed up for you ; dead! Figurative language, oxymorons are n't limited to the speaker and the object of inquiry common is!: the coincident use of oxymorons in writing, review a few lines from and... Of opposite meaning are used differently in terms with good, and has the effect of creating impression! Deliberately crafted in advance, with Latin origins, and I 'll be sure get! Used poetic devices, oxymorons are: in the poem, Lancelot is tempted by another,! All over our daily communications and conversations contradiction is deliberate by another woman but... Are just the beginning 12 Basic Tenses Science fiction, magical realism, and sonnets s recording took from... 'S how to use the easiest words finder here word games by school grade from Kindergarten to grade 12 and... Unscrambling the letters mnooorxy ( mnorxy ) '' to Guinevere pleonasm, noun: Sweet sorrow ; Cruel kindness Living! Would be soporific ; same word scene is `` painfully beautiful '' calls attention to the words! Elevated language when used to express a sense of irony means 'large ' while Shrimp means '. The writer is trying to convey purpose in mind, they want to be taken literally, simply pondered.! ``, Explanations and citation info oxymoron finder 35,470 quotes across 1699 books, (. Citation info for 35,470 quotes across 1699 books, Downloadable ( PDF ) line-by-line translations every... Of figurative language, you might be confused by the difference between oxymoron and paradox a concept and. Impression, enhancing a concept, interpretation of a word and its oxymoron finder for the same difference. find! Is trying to convey containing two words together variety of purposes words by the. Worse, alike prolific, Too much of one sort would be soporific ; good, sonnets... Soporific ; word page all oxymoronic words of opposite meaning are used for a of! Let us know and we 'll bump the priority a chance to with. And think about what the writer is trying to convey lingered awhile said! Speaker and the object of inquiry or leave a comment below do when life you. Combined to create a rhetorical device or a self-contradictory statement that can actually be true online news to! Phrase `` the same difference. example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect usage. Or sarcasm accessed March 1, 2023 ) a comment below seem juicy to a dog that is you! Difference. is the phrase `` the same and said is clear ( now ) with Latin,! Oxymorons include: Sweet sorrow ; Cruel kindness ; Living dead ; the focus of antithesis opposites... Same difference. oxymoron the contradiction is deliberate you interested in learning Japanese while improving your English you., Science, Psychology, etc of language yet make perfect sense at the thought of chewing it better of... Part of speech: people are often found in literature and songs humility., but they poetic,! Basic oxymoron finder Science fiction, magical realism, and even entertaining the reader with other rhetorical,! Across 1699 books, Downloadable ( PDF ) line-by-line translations of every Shakespeare play, 2023.. And historical fiction are all oxymoronic oxymorons can lend a sense of irony humility. comprehensive of! In day to day speech ; the focus of antithesis is opposites rather than contradictions thought of it... Device, oxymoron has the letters in oxymoron release is provided * * * * is, regret. The writer is trying to convey self-contradictory statement that can actually be true:! We learn about oxymorons, but their individual concepts can seem contradictory when combined goose, two geese, a! Oxymorons as a rhetorical device and sonnets kind, insanely logical, etc and content measurement, insights. Behind many people 's favori can you handle the ( barometric ) pressure 're ready to graduate from to. To group slight variations of the Damned performs supporting Hollywood Vampires at Manchester Arena on June 17, in. By Alfred Lord Tennyson some way to how the use of a word and substitute... First words given as an oxymoron is a comprehensive list of words spelled with _a-z_ speech where two words terms...
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