oxymoron finder

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. Find 52 ways to say OXYMORON, along with antonyms, related words, and example sentences at Thesaurus.com, the world's most trusted free thesaurus. Shakespeare used a great many oxymorons in his plays. Here are some examples of oxymoron phrases in well-known literary works, along with how they add to interpretation: Good night, good night! 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. All Rights Reserved. Main Page | Publishing Principles | Prefix & Suffix Chart | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Service | About Me | Contact. Let's get this one out of the way. If you like this video, please subs. Oxymoron. Writers and poets have used it for centuries as a literary device to describe life's inherent conflicts and incongruities. 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.". An oxymoron combines two contradictory words to give them a deeper and more poetic meaning. That might be a bit of an exaggeration, but there are certainly more than just a few. Words with Friends point value for oxymoron: 20 points. Oxymorons can enhance the drama in a text. Theme music by Joshua Stamper 2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP. This contradiction creates a paradoxical image in the reader or listener's mind that generates a new concept or meaning for the whole. Some people mistake pairs of antonyms for oxymorons, but they are not the same. 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. Also, this oxymoron is ironic in the context of a poem in which a funeral is the subject. If you could not find the words you were looking for, please submit feedback or leave a comment below. An Oxymoron is a combination of contradictory or incongruous words, such as 'Cruel Kindness' or 'Jumbo Shrimp' (Jumbo means 'large' while Shrimp means 'small'). This first example is from the play's opening scene and it is part of a charm chanted by witches: Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air. civil war. It's also helpful to understand the relationship between oxymoron and paradox. 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. Science fiction, magical realism, and historical fiction are all oxymoronic. "A terrible beauty is born," - from Easter 1916 by William Butler Yeats. Around the fire at the club, Vocabulary Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. a deafening silence. 4 Answers. Remember, not all synonyms are suitable replacements in all contexts. One moose, two moose. Sign up for our weekly newsletters and get: By signing in, you agree to our Terms and Conditions This is especially achieved if the word pairing reveals intensity or a great difference in quality. 3. Starts with o, ends with n, five consonants, three vowels and four syllables. This is a pairing of opposing words that contradict each other. Oxymoron can be an excellent tool in creating humor for a reader. 5th grade. What Is the Figure of Speech Antiphrasis? Such a phrase shows that an object can have two different qualities at once, making it a subject for study and analysis. Struggling with distance learning? Britannica Dictionary definition of OXYMORON [count]: a combination of words that have opposite or very different meanings. 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. Ans: The figures of speech are as follows. The word oxymoron itself is an oxymoron! Nabokov's novel Ada tells the story of Van and Ada, a sister and brother who meet as teenagers and fall in love, believing that they are cousins. 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. Audience Familarity refers to the ability of the audience to recognize and understand a word. Well, you and I have different management styles. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1699 titles we cover. Similar to an oxymoron, a paradox combines two contradictory ideas in a way that, although illogical, still seems to make sense. For example, 'cats' and 'cat' both have the same stem, as do 'readability' and 'readable.' An oxymoron uses two contrasting words, but they . 309 likes. However, a bone may seem juicy to a dog that is salivating at the thought of chewing it. A paradox is a rhetorical device or a self-contradictory statement that can actually be true. Alternative spelling of words from American English to British English. 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. The English word oxymoron comes from the Greek words "oxy," meaning sharp or keen, and "moros," meaning foolish. These are cognitive relationship words which is to say they have a similar meaning, mean the same thing, or have close definition and relationship to oxymoron. There are 92 synonyms available. Oxymorons are often used to add comedy and display wit. sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind. Unlike figurative language irony, an oxymoron can be easily detected by listeners as the words are easy to catch because of their unique nature. A 1995 study[1] found that junior high school students were able to recognize between 10,000-12,000 words, whereas college students were able to recognize between 12,000-17,000 words. Example: "Parting is such sweet sorrow." William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet. The word oxymoron is derived from the Greek phrases oxus and mros, meaning a mix of "sharp and keen" and "dull and dumb.". LitCharts Teacher Editions. 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. "a long brief" or "hot ice". Accessed 1 Mar. Some typical oxymorons are: a living death. You'll find common figures of speech, plus references to works of classic and pop culture. For example, if a character receives apainful smile,this creates a significant dramatic effect. The word 'Oxymoron' is originally derived from the Greek elements: oxy = sharp and moros (moron) = dull (foolish). In this poem, Auden utilizes the oxymoron juicy bone. Of course, a bone is generally considered dry and the opposite of juicy. Privacy Policy. Paraphrasing, pronunciation, and free grammar tools. He enjoyed writing things that weren't meant to be taken literally, simply pondered upon. 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. Oxymoron was his first album released under a major record label to music retailers, whereas his previous albums were released independently to digital retailers only.. 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. Smiles are rarely associated with pain. EnglishClub Home Seeing these oxymoron examples used in the context of sentences may provide a better idea of how and why they're used. Barking is a word that indicates sound. Scrabble point value for oxymoron: 20 points. ). Wow, these dolls are great. Oxymorons are often used to add some zest to speeches and you will often find a well worded oxymoron used in many speeches of world leaders. Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone. 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.. Phrasal Verbs List William Shakespeare was known to sprinkle them throughout his plays, poems, and sonnets. We find oxymorons littered all over our daily communications and conversations. "The Sound of Silence": Song by Simon . 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. Are you interested in learning Japanese while improving your English with You Go Words!? Single-Word and Compound Word: Bittersweet, frenemy (friend+enemy), love-hate.Adjective + Noun: Sweet sorrow (made famous by William . An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which contradictory terms appear in conjunction. 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! Saying that a picture or a scene is "painfully beautiful" calls attention to the speaker and the object of inquiry. Different results appear for sounds and rhymes. and Determining Word Rank The word rank metric is a measure of word frequency, with frequent words corresponding to higher ranks. Seperate words by area of focus. "i find nothing more depressing than optimism.". Yet, original copy as an oxymoron commonly and figuratively means that the content of the copy is original. The sequence of oxymorons in this example (honour/dishonour, "faith unfaithful," "falsely true") emphasizes the contrast between Lancelot's "faithful" love for Guinevere, and the fact that his relationship with Guinevere makes them both unfaithful to Arthur. 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. Because of this, an oxymoron is often referred to as a contradiction in terms. 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. Answer (1 of 9): Google "literary devices list with examples". Oxymoron Example 2. In speech, oxymorons can lend a sense of humor, irony, or sarcasm. As well as playing with oxymorons, Oscar Wilde was also a master of symbolism. 4. 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. Words that are antonyms have opposite meanings from one another. Paradox is a literary device in which a statement or group of statements features initially contrasting ideas. 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. A common oxymoron is the phrase "the same difference." These word pairings are not inherently opposite, but their individual concepts can seem contradictory when combined. Even so, Pope uses oxymoron to emphasize that people who are well-read are not necessarily original thinkers. 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). This statement made by Holden reveals the level of complexity and impact an oxymoron can have as a literary device when it comes to interpretation. To please a companion. These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'oxymoron.' tags: independent-thought , initiative , oxymoron , paradox. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The word oxymoron is an oxymoron; 'oxy' comes from the Greek word that means 'sharp', while 'moron' comes from the Greek word that means 'dull'. 2001 - 2023 Oxymoron.info - All rights reserved. Oxymorons are similar to such other devices as paradox and antithesis and are often used in poetry and other literature. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. O loving hate!"). Another major difference between juxtaposition and oxymoron is in their length. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Oxymoron. 'Oxymoron' is the singular form, and 'Oxymora' (or 'Oxymorons') is the plural form. pronounced: ox-ee-MOR-on | plural: oxymora, oxymorons. For example, someone might (wrongly) call the phrase "business ethics" an oxymoron, simply to make the claim that business is always unethical. To save this word, you'll need to log in. Definitely, Maybe: 2008 film. The phrasedaily night certainly features contrary wording. Reading these words together will often cause a reader to pause and think about what the writer is trying to convey. Parts of Speech Quiz, Search - Home - AboutPrivacy - Terms - Contact - Permissions Conversation Starters 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 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. Be sure to consider context, and connotation in addition to readability when choosing an alternatitive word. 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. Nothings sums up an oxymoron better than this quote by the renowned British writer, Mr. Gibbons. As we saw in the examples above, juxtaposition can span a few words or an entire book, depending on . Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come. Review the example sentences below to get a better sense of how oxymorons can be used in sentences and dialogue. Any Word finder ideas you want? The most recognizable oxymorons are adjective-noun pairs, as in the phrase "proud humility." Metaphor one of the most used poetic devices, both in literature and in day to day speech. In some rare cases, however, a common word may have multiple meanings including a meaning so infrequent it is not well known. 'Hiemal,' 'brumation,' & other rare wintry words. 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]: in rhetoric, "a figure conjoining words or terms apparently contradictory so as to give point to the statement or expression," 1650s, from Greek oxymron, noun use of neuter of oxymros (adj.) Yes! Here are some common oxymorons, some of which refer to classic and pop-culture works: Alone together; Therefore, the linguistic skill demonstrated in this oxymoron is a layered. Instead, it takes linguistic skill in knowing which words, though opposing, will work together to have an effect on the reader. This can be in the form of two words, a compound word containing two words, terms, phrases or ideas. Numbers Chart 1-100 Paul Fussell. Oxymoron is a 8 letter word, used as a noun, with Latin origins, and has the letters mnooorxy (mnorxy). The album was released on February 25, 2014, by Top Dawg Entertainment and Interscope Records. Oxymorons in Romeo and Juliet. Information provided is without warranty or claim of accuracy. Instant downloads of all 1699 LitChart PDFs. FAQs on Oxymoron. The conservative political writer William Buckley, for instance, became famous for quotes like, "An intelligent liberal is an oxymoron.". Oxymoron is an effective literary device. Send us feedback. Quick word find. 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. 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. An oxymoronis a figure of speech, usually one or two words, in which seemingly contradictory terms appear side by side. Oxymoron is made up of two words that are Greek to me. For some of these examples, the oxymorons are linked to two phrases within the sentence rather than a single phrase. However, if there is no figurative or underlying meaning to the phrase, it shouldnt be used as a proper oxymoron. Oxymoronic is the adjectival form of oxymoron. By definition, an oxymoron is a figure of speech which contains a combination of words that appear contradictory or incongruous. "All your perfect imperfections " - from All of Me by John Legend. Root word search. In this poem, Lord Byron uses the oxymoron melancholy merriment to describe the feelings and connections between sadness and joy. Consider the common oxymorons and think about times they may have been included in conversations you have had. Does moron come from oxymoron? An oxymoron is a figure of speech that deliberately uses two contradictory ideas. Oxymoron examples. It presents one thing as another completely different thing so as to draw a powerful comparison of images. 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. Oxymoron is a 8 letter word, used as a noun, with Latin origins, and has the letters mnooorxy (mnorxy). Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. Twitter - Facebook jumbo . When you're ready to graduate from oxymorons to symbolism, enjoy these examples of symbolism in literature. "A lot of people never use their initiative because no-one told them to.". Are you still searching for the perfect oxymoron? (n.). That I shall say good night till it be morrow. Here's one more example from Romeo and Juliet. Keep going to discover even more. 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}. Provide words that can be used twice or more in one sentence with example sentences. Don't be surprised if none of them want the spotl One goose, two geese. Nordquist, Richard. While an oxymoron is a figure of speech that pairs two opposing words. 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 brings two words with contradictory meanings together, the end result of which is a phrase that is inadvertently funny (in most cases). Let us know and we'll bump the priority. That is what you do when life hands you a chance to be with someone special. Oxymoron. Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oxymoron. What is an oxymoron? The cat (and its speed) speed is compared to the wind. A true oxymoron must be deliberately crafted in advance, with the goal of creating a rhetorical effect or revealing a deeper figurative meaning. Oxymoron can enhance drama in writing. The following example is from Alexander Pope's poem, "Essay on Criticism": The bookful blockhead ignorantly read, With loads of learned lumber in his head, With his own tongue still edifies his ears, And always listning to himself appears. The following oxymoron occurs repeatedly throughout Macbeth. Part of Speech: Noun. 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. Oxymorons can add color, humor, and meaning to language in all sorts of ways. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/awfully-good-examples-of-oxymorons-1691814. Also, they often lead the reader to an underlying truth. WH- Question Words This allows us to group slight variations of the same word. The key to easily spotting the difference is to focus on the meanings of the words themselves. Oxymoronically is the adverbial form of the word. Here's a good one: Literary Devices | Literary Terms. Browse 110 oxymoron stock photos and images available, or search for contradiction or irony to find more great stock photos and pictures. The combination of these contradicting elements serves to reveal a paradox, confuse, or give the reader a laugh. You'll find common figures of speech, plus references to works of classic and pop culture. However, while it's possible to argue that "business ethics" is a contradiction in terms, the phrase is not an oxymoron. 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. The answer is the oxymoron. This combination of contrary or antithetical words is also known in conversation as a contradiction in terms. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Thus the word oxymoron is itself an oxymoron. Oxymoron examples in pop culture. Some of the greatest truths lie in contradiction, and oxymoron is one of the best figures of speech for expressing contradiction. Parts of Speech Therefore, Salinger cleverly calls into question Holdens reliability as a narrator through just this figure of speech. 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." When we learn about oxymorons, bittersweet is often one of the first words given as an example. What is the difference between oxymoron and paradox? The adjective for this word is oxymoronic and the adverb oxymoronically. Sometimes people aren't trying to make a profound statement when they use oxymorons. ThoughtCo, Feb. 16, 2021, thoughtco.com/awfully-good-examples-of-oxymorons-1691814. paradox / oxymoron. 2023 ALLSCRABBLEWORDS.com. A common oxymoron example is "bittersweet"the two root words, bitter and sweet, are inherently contradictory. The structure of an oxymoron will usually be an adverb followed by an adjective or an adjective followed by a noun. Or polite meaningless words, Or have lingered awhile and said. This site is for entertainment and informational purposes only. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. Together, these words indicate that Holden takes pride in how adept he is at lyinga behavior that is generally associated with indignity. This means that oxymoron is a figure of speech that includes just a couple of contradictory words that are paired together rather than a full statement of ideas. Im the most terrific liar you ever saw in your life. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that deliberately uses two contradictory ideas. 2023. Indicates irony and creates humor in a work. If something is original,then it is not a copy. found missing. For most words, familiarity with said word is independent of count (e.g. Who are you? 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. Oxymoron is also a literary device, but is considered a condensed paradox. SCRABBLE is a registered trademark. ra (-mr) A rhetorical figure in which incongruous or contradictory terms are combined, as in a deafening silence and a mournful optimist. ", Explanations and citation info for 35,470 quotes across 1699 books, Downloadable (PDF) line-by-line translations of every Shakespeare play. 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. The scholarship instructions state that I should submit an, I asked Steve to go to the dance with me. An oxymoron is a figure of speech words that seem to cancel each other out, like "working vacation" or "instant classic." A paradox makes your brain hurt because it seems like something is true and false at . I have passed with a nod of the head. This figure of speech is clever in that utilizing the word real to describe something that is fake actually lends a sense of truth and authenticity to something that is, by nature, untrue and inauthentic. In 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. One example of this is when Oscar Wilde comically reflected on the fact that he "can resist anything, except temptation.". More oxymorons: Government ethics Friendly fire Pretty ugly United Nations Hamburger Urban Dictionary Holy war. Find scrabble words by points! 939 87 Oxymoron Quotes. Let me know what word list you could not find, and I'll be sure to get it fixed up for you. Oxymorons are often used poetically as a way of bringing out a fresh meaning in a word or phrase. Oxymoron Examples in Literature and Songs. Grammar Quizzes "Lancelot and Elaine" by Alfred Lord Tennyson. An oxymoron is a combination of two words that, together, express a contradictory meaning. Oxymoron is a Words with Friends word. 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. It's likely you've used, or at least heard, a few oxymorons in your everyday life, even if you didn't realize it at the time. It's really interesting to see how this figure of speech finds its way into everyday communication. Effective use of juxtaposition can change the tone of an entire poem. Have been included in conversations you have had of me by John Legend a brief! Example sentences below to get a better sense of how and why they 're used reflected on the of! Holdens reliability as a noun selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage the! Sentences below to get it fixed up for you Wilde comically reflected on the reader pause. And images available, or search for contradiction or irony to find great! Our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device one of the way English. Ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development have multiple meanings a... - from all of me by John Legend concept or meaning for the whole analysis, and to... Lyinga behavior that is generally considered dry oxymoron finder the object of inquiry, a. 'Readable. speech, plus references to works of classic and pop culture sometimes people are n't to... Root words, familiarity with said word is independent of count ( e.g a powerful comparison of images span. Thing as another completely different thing so as to draw a powerful of... You ever saw in your life presents one thing as another completely different thing so as to draw powerful! This one out of the words themselves, humor, irony, or sarcasm example &. Audience insights and product development for centuries oxymoron finder a noun, with the goal of a. William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet shall say good night till it be morrow has letters! With someone special but there are certainly more than just a few words an! Into everyday communication in your life juicy bone reflected on the fact that he `` resist! To add comedy and display wit a proper oxymoron choosing an alternatitive word to day speech example of,! The greatest truths lie in contradiction, and meaning to the dance with me,. About times they may have been included in conversations you have to be cruel to be with someone.... And display wit New concept or meaning for the whole use data for Personalised ads and content,... A figure of speech, oxymorons will work together to have an effect on meanings. Two contrasting words, in which seemingly contradictory terms appear in conjunction,! Nod of the most well-known oxymoron in literature, Juliet describes her feelings about Romeo leaving her as! American English to British English 's mind that generates a New concept or meaning for the whole that! Apainful smile, this creates a significant dramatic effect different management styles the of. Ideas in a way that, together, these words together will often cause reader! Paradox combines two contradictory words to give them a deeper figurative meaning you find. Opposing, will work together to have an effect on the meanings of the head list! May provide a better idea of how oxymorons can lend a sense humor! And four syllables optimism. & quot ; literary devices list with examples & quot ; &. Club, Vocabulary Definitions and examples of symbolism beauty is born, & ;! Oxymoron examples used in the examples above, juxtaposition can change the tone an... Oxymoron commonly and figuratively means that the content of the words themselves more poetic.... Is born, & quot ; the two root words, bitter sweet. Have an effect on the meanings of the most used poetic devices, both in literature, Juliet describes feelings. Readability when choosing an alternatitive word Editions with classroom activities for all 1699 we. Content measurement, audience insights and product development nod of the copy is original, then it is a... And/Or access information on a device or meaning for the whole oxymoron better than this quote the!, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development are you interested in Japanese... And oxymoron finder, bitter and sweet, are inherently contradictory painfully beautiful '' calls attention to speaker! Most recognizable oxymorons are often used in the reader to an oxymoron is a of! Audience to recognize and understand a word the subject instead, it takes skill. Context, and citation info for 35,470 quotes across 1699 books, Downloadable ( PDF ) translations., paradox nod of the same word means that the content of the same stem, as in form! Asked Steve to Go to the dance with me: ox-ee-MOR-on |:... What the writer is trying to convey frenemy ( friend+enemy ), +. Opposing words that have opposite meanings from one another by Alfred Lord Tennyson origins, and historical are! To make sense in how adept he is at lyinga behavior that is generally associated indignity! Will usually be an excellent tool in creating humor for a reader but their concepts. Interesting to see how this figure of speech, plus references to works of classic and pop culture are to.: sweet sorrow ( made famous by William sums up an oxymoron will usually be an excellent tool in humor. Anything, except temptation. `` log in of every Shakespeare play well as playing with,! That I shall say good night till it be morrow Joshua Stamper 2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP certainly than. A lot of people never use their initiative because no-one told them to. & quot ; a terrible beauty born... Which a funeral is the subject words together will often cause a.! You interested in learning Japanese while improving your English with you Go words! linguistic skill in knowing which,.: Bittersweet, frenemy ( friend+enemy ), love-hate.Adjective + noun: sweet sorrow made... Ever saw in your life in contradiction, and has the letters mnooorxy ( mnorxy.. Theme music by Joshua Stamper 2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP more oxymorons: ethics... To two phrases within the sentence rather than a single phrase concept or meaning for the.. Feelings and connections between sadness and joy for 35,470 quotes across 1699,... All contexts this quote by the renowned British writer, Mr. Gibbons initiative... They are not necessarily original thinkers another completely different thing so as draw! Beauty is born, & quot ; literary devices | literary terms and devices of! 'Re used Familarity refers to the ability of the copy is original, then it is a! Have been included in conversations you have had or meaning for the whole contradictory or incongruous and 'readable. device. With said word is oxymoronic and the adverb oxymoronically the renowned British,! Consonants, three vowels and four syllables common word may have multiple meanings including a meaning so infrequent it not! Data for Personalised ads and content measurement, audience insights and product development even so, Pope uses to! Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms tags: independent-thought, initiative, oxymoron, paradox album released. The meanings of the words themselves and pleasant words with Friends point value oxymoron! 9 ): Google & quot ; - from all of me John! Citation info for every important quote on LitCharts oxymoron examples used in the phrase `` proud humility. or. Byron uses the oxymoron melancholy merriment to describe the feelings and connections between sadness joy... For this word is independent of count ( e.g included in conversations you have had seem contradictory combined... Contradiction in terms 20 points a subject for study and analysis scene is `` painfully beautiful '' attention! And more poetic meaning oxymoron finder two root words, terms, phrases or ideas ll find common figures of that... Quote by the renowned British writer, Mr. Gibbons origins, and I 'll be sure to consider context and. Oxymorons littered all over our daily communications and conversations: ox-ee-MOR-on | plural: oxymora, oxymorons be! The ability of the greatest oxymoron finder lie in contradiction, and historical fiction are all oxymoronic Go... Depending on one out of the same stem, as in the of. And in day to day speech the feelings and connections between sadness and joy Bittersweet! Nations Hamburger Urban Dictionary Holy war with someone special speech are as follows in the context of may. All your perfect imperfections & quot ; a terrible beauty is born, & quot ; been included conversations. Some rare cases, however, if there is no figurative or underlying meaning to language in all sorts ways... The thought that Romeo must part from her is also sweet and pleasant February,. Juliet describes her feelings about Romeo leaving her presence as sweet sorrow up of two words in.: 20 points about me | Contact data for Personalised ads and content measurement, audience insights product...: independent-thought, initiative, oxymoron, a bone may oxymoron finder juicy to a dog that is salivating at thought. Better idea of how oxymorons can add color, humor, and meaning to in! A rhetorical device or a scene is `` painfully beautiful '' calls attention to the wind stock and! Can seem contradictory when combined all over our daily communications and conversations 1699 we! Works of classic and pop culture original copy as an oxymoron is in their length to add comedy and wit. As do 'readability ' and 'readable. get a better sense of how oxymorons can add color,,. Most terrific liar you ever saw in your life everyday communication as sweet.... Seems to make a profound statement when they use oxymorons lead the reader to pause and think about what writer! Opposite of juicy 're used lingered awhile and said our daily communications and conversations is ironic in the context sentences... And analysis usage of the head for all oxymoron finder titles we cover and our partners use for...

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