As a literary device, oxymoron has the effect of creating an impression, enhancing a concept, and even entertaining the reader. "100 Awfully Good Examples of Oxymorons." Im the most terrific liar you ever saw in your life. 11 October 1975. "Oxymoron" is Greek for "sharply dull," so the word is itself an oxymoron. Oxymoronically is the adverbial form of the word. Nordquist, Richard. The violent display ultimately led to thousands of deaths and injuries. pleonasm, noun : the coincident use of a word and its substitute for the same grammatical function. This presents the word. Consider the oxymoron example deafening silence. Thus the word oxymoron is itself an oxymoron. The word oxymoron is an ancient Greek word, which translates most closely to something like sharply dull or cleverly stupid. In other words, the oxymoron definition is itself an oxymoron. mars 15, 2021 . Writers and poets have used it for centuries as a literary device to describe life's inherent conflicts and incongruities. You might say that they juxtapose each other, which means, when placed close together, they create an. As a rhetorical device, an oxymoron illustrates a point to communicate and reveal a paradox. O heavy lightness, serious vanity! the word nascar is an oxymoron. Shellfish. Who are you? However, others can be intentional: For instance, in the phrase deafening silence, the seeming contradiction only serves to emphasize the intensity of the silence. 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. And then an interesting thing happens with superette. Like a paradox, an oxymoron is whats known as a contradiction in terms, although oxymorons and paradoxes are two different things, as explained below. marekuliasz / iStock / Getty Images Plus. These lines come from the hit 2013 song "All of Me" recorded by John Legend. It takes that remaining super- prefix from supermarket and then replaces market with the diminutive suffix -ette (as found in words like kitchenette or featurette). We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. That makes oxymorons a serious option in, is fairly neutralit can be calm or tense, depending on the context. [1][2] A general meaning of "contradiction in terms" is recorded by the 1902 edition of the Oxford English Dictionary. However, you may come across many such examples that need verbal interpretations and deep understanding. However, the terms are also complementary as a pair. However, the explicit advertisement of the use of oxymorons opened up a sliding scale of less than obvious construction, ending in the "opinion oxymorons" such as "business ethics". [23], Other examples include "honest politician", "act naturally", "affordable caviar" (1993),[24] "happily married" and "Microsoft Works" (2000).[25]. oxymoron definition: 1. two words or phrases used together that have, or seem to have, opposite meanings: 2. two words. 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. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(360031, '21006efe-96ea-47ea-9553-204221f7f333', {"useNewLoader":"true","region":"na1"}); Hannah received her MA in Japanese Studies from the University of Michigan and holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California. However, if you think too hard about the meaning, you'll realize that on the surface it doesn't quite make sense. Oxymorons are similar to such other devices as paradox and antithesis and are often used in poetry and other literature. | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples Despite the "terrible" things that happened and the many lives lost, Yeats uses the term "beauty" to bring attention to the positive ideals of independence that gained ground as a result of this event:thisdesire for self-government is what spurred the Irish War of Independence just a few years later. I can resist anything but temptation. Misshapen chaos of well-seeming forms! It makes more sense when you read the thrift in spendthrift as a noun that can refer to the savings that one has accumulated through the careful management of money. 'when they are silent, they cry out'), He was very warmly thanked both by mother and daughter; to escape a little from the latter, he went to the pianoforte, and begged Miss Fairfax, who was still sitting at it, to play something more. Quotes tagged as "oxymoron" Showing 1-30 of 30. 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. A common oxymoron example is "bittersweet"the two root words, bitter and sweet, are inherently contradictory. 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". Is it starting to seem like there is an unlimited supply of oxymorons in the English language? Review the example sentences below to get a better sense of how oxymorons can be used in sentences and dialogue. The suggestion is that after a year into high school or college, a sophomore might think they know everything there is to know, but really has a long way to go. An oxymoron is a figure of speech pairing two antithetical or contradictory concepts. 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. The word 'Oxymoron' is originally derived from the Greek elements: oxy = sharp and moros (moron) = dull (foolish). The audience was a failure. But once you become fluent in English, it's easy to recognize such oxymorons for the figures of speech that they are. These word pairs, though actually opposite in meaning, are put together so that the meaning that they are trying to put forward is emphasized. 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. An oxymoron is a figure of speech, usually one or two words, in which seemingly contradictory terms appear side by side. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/awfully-good-examples-of-oxymorons-1691814. Consider these oxymoron examples: I am a deeply superficial person. Andy Warhol, I distinctly remember forgetting that. Clara Barton. Are you Nobody too? (, Ordinary riches can be stolen; real riches cannot. (, Vidia was complicated, two fairies in one, a loyal traitor. (Gail Carson Levine). Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone. Supermarket was coined by adding the prefix super- (higher in quantity, quality, or degree) to the noun market for a large store that carried a vast assortment of groceries and other household goods. Ask below and we'll reply! Send us feedback. Get Free Guides to Boost Your SAT/ACT Score, our in-depth guide to the 31 literary devices you must know. Oxymorons are often confused with paradoxesafter all, both are textbook contradictions of terms. Despite what it might sound like, noan oxymoron isnt something you can call your little brother when hes bugging you. 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.". 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. Instead, it takes linguistic skill in knowing which words, though opposing, will work together to have an effect on the reader. That I shall say good night till it be morrow. A Comprehensive Guide. The phrase original copyis a good illustration of an oxymoron. Now that weve gone over what an oxymoron is, lets take a closer look at four famous oxymoron examples in sentences to better understand how this literary device actually works. Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come. The first word is usually used to describe the second word in a way that contrasts with it. 100 Awfully Good Examples of Oxymorons. Post author By ; Post date regina's restaurant menu; california home care aide registry . We hope you are enjoying Penlighten! the word nascar is an oxymoron. Like. Home Uncategorized the word nascar is an oxymoron. . Posted at 14:06h in does jetblue have power outlets by white stuff on frozen chicken. This book, in which Wallace presents employees of the IRS and their spectacularly damaged lives, often dwells on the connection between tedium and pain. brennan boesch career earnings cameron boyce funeral cameron boyce funeral 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". Lord Byron, Don Juan: Canto VIII, His honour rooted in dishonour stood, An oxymoron is a consecutive set of words that have contradictory meanings. As a rhetorical device, an oxymoron illustrates a point to communicate and reveal a paradox. the word nascar is an oxymoron. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Oxymoron Quotes. 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. Check out the oxymoron definition. Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way. (Old news, anyone?) 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. An oxymoron is a combination of words, typically just two words, with contradictory meanings. In this scene, Juliet utters the phrase "sweet sorrow" to describe the feeling she has when having to say goodbye to Romeo. Crustacean. Still-waking sleep, that is not what it is! Slow and steady wins the race. The most common type of oxymoron is an adjective followed by a noun. [7] The word oxymoron is autological, i.e. A paradox is a term that presents a situation where two events seem unlikely to coexist. It even proofreads your text, so your work is extra polished wherever you write. This contradiction is also known as aparadox. Here's an example of paradox from George Orwell's Animal Farm: When a single word contains two conflicting ideas. The phrasedaily night certainly features contrary wording. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. 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 As rhetorical devices, oxymorons have been used in many different mediums from political speeches to novels to stage plays. Oxymoron can enhance drama in writing. Authors and musicians often use oxymorons as a rhetorical device. Generally, the ideas will come astwo separate words placed side by side. in a unique way thats particularly expressive. Instead, they want to be witty and show they can use words to make people laugh. 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! The distinction between the two is clear (now). They can enhance writing and communication in a variety of ways, including by adding dramatic effect. "wise-foolish"). Easy Examples of Oxymorons Act naturally situs link alternatif kamislot the word nascar is an oxymoron How every letter can be (annoyingly) silent, Helping you navigate the linguistic road ahead. The lyrics of this powerful piano ballad make use of several oxymorons. Copyright 2023 Literary Devices. With the first oxymoron,"perfect imperfections," the speaker is making it clear that his lovers flaws are ultimately what make her the perfect partner for him. The main topic of this poem is the 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin, an event during whichnumerous Irish nationalists rebelled against the British government in Ireland. An oxymoron is a term for 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. 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. The word "oxymoron" is an oxymoron itself and derives from the . the word nascar is an oxymoron. If you're learning English as a second language, you might be confused by these figures of speech. oxymoron, noun : a combination for epigrammatic effect of contradictory or incongruous words. The College Entrance Examination BoardTM does not endorse, nor is it affiliated in any way with the owner or any content of this site. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Our vetted tutor database includes a range of experienced educators who can help you polish an essay for English or explain how derivatives work for Calculus. An oxymoron can seem absurd yet make perfect sense at the same time. Now you can see that oxymorons add humor or drama to speech or writing, allowing you to make a funny or pointed remark. Learn a new word every day. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. 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). Indeed, oxymorons are often used to make fun of an idea, person, or . "A lot of people never use their initiative because no-one told them to.". Don't be surprised if none of them want the spotl One goose, two geese. The term "oxymoron" is itself an oxymoron as it derives from the Greek "oxus" (sharp) and "moros" (stupid). We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. . the word nascar is an oxymoron 03 Jun. An oxymoron is a figure of speech where two terms seem contradictory. Even though the two words are often antonyms (words with opposite meanings), they don't negate each other. Oxymoron is a word that describes an expression of two contradictory thoughts, words, or phrases. 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. Sophomore is the term for a student in the second year at college or a 4-year secondary school. The scholarship instructions state that I should submit an, I asked Steve to go to the dance with me. Rowdy, a new documentary on Amazon Freevee, tells the story of NASCAR driver Kyle Busch's life and career, largely focused on his chase for the 2015 Cup Series Championship. All Rights Reserved. The N Word is a figure of speech - a racist and hateful figure of speech. You mightve heard of another literary device called the paradox, which is similar but not identical to the oxymoron. For example, in Chinese, compounds like (man and woman, male and female, gender), (yin and yang), (good and evil, morality) are used to indicate couples, ranges, or the trait that these are extremes of. The following is a list for kids who too are struggling to get the correct contradictory set of words together for an assignment or project. "100 Awfully Good Examples of Oxymorons." Oftentimes a phrase cited as an example of an oxymoron is really just a play on words.
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