J. R. R. Tolkien interpreted his own surname as derived from the Low German equivalent of dull-keen (High German toll-khn) which would be a literal equivalent of Greek oxy-moron. Merriam-Webster defines an oxymoron as a rhetorical device in which a combination of contradictory or incongruous words is used in conjunction. 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. However, you may come across many such examples that need verbal interpretations and deep understanding. 2023 LoveToKnow Media. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that places contradictory terms next to each other in a word or phrase. Superette might not strike you as the most obvious oxymoron. An oxymoron is a phrase made of two or more words that actually have opposite meanings. However, if there is no figurative or underlying meaning to the phrase, it shouldnt be used as a proper oxymoron. As a literary device, it is used to make certain word combinations more thought-provoking to stand out. And, of course, plenty of people use oxymorons intentionally for humorous effect. We recommend our users to update the browser. The College Entrance Examination BoardTM does not endorse, nor is it affiliated in any way with the owner or any content of this site. All babies can be childish but, for some reason, adding the word 'big' communicates that the person you are talking about is even more childish than a regular-sized . Are you still searching for the perfect oxymoron? There are many examples of oxymorons in the English language such as "jumbo shrimp," "hot ice," and "civil war." Oxymoron is a word that literally means "contradictory terms." However, others can be intentional: For instance, in the phrase deafening silence, the seeming contradiction only serves to emphasize the intensity of the silence. 4 Answers. This next oxymoron example is about Queen Guinevere and Sir Lancelot's tragic love affair. These figures of speech can enhance a readers understanding of a concept, interpretation of a phrase, or enjoyment of language. The word 'big' is added to emphasise the fact that someone is acting more childishly than you would expect. brennan boesch career earnings cameron boyce funeral cameron boyce funeral Or plastic silverware. Yes! Get the latest articles and test prep tips! Sign up to receive the latest and greatest articles from our site automatically each week (give or take)right to your inbox. In 1778, the French chemist Antoine Lavoisier (1743-94) proposed for the recently discovered element the name . Feel free to look throughthis vast list of oxymoron examplesif youre in need of an oxymoron for something you're writing or if you simply want tolearn some of the most commonones. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. . In a more extended sense, the term "oxymoron" has also been applied to inadvertent or incidental contradictions, as in the case of "dead metaphors" ("barely clothed" or "terribly good"). 6789 Quail Hill Pkwy, Suite 211 Irvine CA 92603. Nothing else. O loving hate! Smiles are rarely associated with pain. Consider these oxymoron examples: I am a deeply superficial person. Andy Warhol, I distinctly remember forgetting that. Clara Barton. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Oxymorons are a favorite literary device of poets, particularly when they express complex feelings such as love and desire. Oxymorons in the narrow sense are a rhetorical device used deliberately by the speaker, and intended to be understood as such by the listener. Learn more. We use oxymorons because they make effective titles in literature or film, and add dramatic effect, for example, Dead Man Walking, Mr. O anything of nothing first create! It even proofreads your text, so your work is extra polished wherever you write. Approaching the end of the alphabet, there are still more oxymorons to explore. Two involve the palindrome, two involve the oxymoron, and one involves onomatopoeia. The term chiaroscuro, used in Renaissance painting, refers to the transition from light to shadow across an object (such as a muscled arm) to create the perception of depth. Copyright Penlighten & Buzzle.com, Inc. 1, 'Cattywampus' and Other Funny-Sounding Words. Reading these words together will often cause a reader to pause and think about what the writer is trying to convey. While an oxymoron is the combination of two contradictory/opposite words in a single sentence, a paradox is an entire phrase/sentence that appears contradictory but, upon further investigation, could be true or plausible. The best way to make money is to spend money. An oxymoron is 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. Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Idylls of the King, Parting is such sweet sorrow. Adding "jumbo" doesn't make the . 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. 1481-82). Therefore, Salinger cleverly calls into question Holdens reliability as a narrator through just this figure of speech. ), so this article explains everything you need to know. 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. Alfred, Lord Tennyson, "Lancelot and Elaine" inIdylls of the King. Oxymorons also feature in modern comedy and politics. Who Are The Most Romantic Literary Figures of All Time? Well go over exactly what an oxymoron is and then show you four oxymoron examples from pop culture and literature. For some of these examples, the oxymorons are linked to two phrases within the sentence rather than a single phrase. 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 ThoughtCo. A person who is thrifty does not like to spend money. Authors and musicians often use oxymorons as a rhetorical device. 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. "delighted sorrow", "loyal treachery", "scalding coolness" (Hemingway).[18]. If you're calling someone a "shrimp" meaning small or little, and then adding the adjective "jumbo," THEN it's an oxymoron. 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. According to Wills, Buckley has "poisoned the general currency" of the word oxymoron by using it as just a "fancier word for 'contradiction'", when he said that "an intelligent liberal is an oxymoron". Value Added Publishing. The pairing of contradictory terms grabs attention, generates surprise, and creates an impression. matthew wilson obituary gan lstm time series github mayo clinic scottsdale patient portal. You might say that they juxtapose each other, which means, when placed close together, they create an. The word "oxymoron" is an oxymoron itself and derives from the . Samuel Johnson defined it as, "a rhetorical figure in which an epithet of a quite contrary signification is added to any word or phrase creating a contradiction in terms.". 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. One classic example of the use of oxymorons in English literature can be found in this example from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, where Romeo strings together thirteen in a row: O brawling love! The sentences in this section feature oxymorons from the list above. An oxymoron is a conjoined pair of (seemingly) contradictory terms, e.g.deafening silence, pretty ugly, same difference, silent scream, or jumbo shrimp. Lets get this one out of the way. ), so this article explains everything you need to know. Oxymoron Quotes. They can enhance writing and communication in a variety of ways, including by adding dramatic effect. Despite what it might sound like, noan oxymoron isnt something you can call your little brother when hes bugging you. . This stanza, from Lord Tennysons retelling of the tale of King Arthur, usesseveral oxymorons for poetic effect and as a way to emphasize the conundrum that Lancelot, Arthurs most loyal knight and friend, finds himself in. Such a phrase shows that an object can have two different qualities at once, making it a subject for study and analysis. . The phrase terrific liar pairs two words that have opposing connotations. 'Hiemal,' 'brumation,' & other rare wintry words. What are examples of oxymoron? An oxymoron can seem absurd yet make perfect sense at the same time. These cookies do not store any personal information. Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here: PrepScholar 2013-2018. This combination of contrary or antithetical words is also known in conversation as a contradiction in terms. One moose, two moose. Get Free Guides to Boost Your SAT/ACT Score, our in-depth guide to the 31 literary devices you must know. Placing contrasting words next to each other makes each one stand out more, just like placing contrasting colors together. 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). An oxymoron is a literary device that juxtaposes contradictory terms. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/awfully-good-examples-of-oxymorons-1691814. When a single word contains two conflicting ideas. Oxymoron is a figure of speech pairing two words together that are opposing and/or contradictory. Heres a tip: Want to make sure your writing shines? 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. Because of this, an oxymoron is often referred to as a contradiction in terms. Privacy Policy. Figure of Speech: Definition and Examples, Definition and Examples of Irony (Figure of Speech). One example of a paradox is the following conflicting idea. Then check out our in-depth guide to the 31 literary devices you must know. 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. Oxymorons can be clearly confusing (see what we did there? Oxymoron is an effective literary device. But pairing it with deafening gives silence a very distinct meaning, comparing it to a loud noise that draws extra attention. Oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines two normally contradictory terms think "deafening silence," "wise fool" or "cruel kindness.". How to use each word. This love feel I, that feel no love in this. The scope of a paradox can go much deeper, drawing on complicated themes and philosophical concepts. For even more examples of oxymorons in sentences, take a look at these examples of funny oxymoron quotes. Feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire, sick health! to compound the power behind certain words. There are oxymorons throughout the alphabet, from "a" to "z." "conventionally unconventional", "tortuous spontaneity" (Henry James)[17] For example, if a character receives apainful smile,this creates a significant dramatic effect. Accessed 4 Mar. Shellfish. An Oxymoron is a combination of contradictory or incongruous words, such as 'Cruel Kindness' or 'Jumbo Shrimp' The main difference between an oxymoron and a paradox is that oxymorons use contradictory words whereas paradoxes use contradictory ideas. Oxymoron: a combination of contradictory words. If you are looking for something seriously funny that will serve as a simply brilliant example of an oxymoron, the following article provides you with a compiled oxymoron list. It was featured notably by Leonardo da Vinci in such works as The Adoration of the Magi (ca. 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. The word combines two of the five taste sensations, the others being salty, sour, and savory (umami). However, with an oxymoron the incongruous word pairing conveys a truth or a dramatic result. The common oxymoron phrase is a combination of an adjective followed by a noun with contrasting meanings. [3], The term oxymoron is first recorded as Latinized Greek oxymrum, in Maurus Servius Honoratus (c. AD 400);[4] it is derived from the Greek word okss "sharp, keen, pointed"[5] and mros "dull, stupid, foolish";[6] as it were, "sharp-dull", "keenly stupid", or "pointedly foolish". Writers and poets have used it for centuries as a literary device to describe life's inherent conflicts and incongruities. Copyright 2023 Literary Devices. Single-Word and Compound Word: Bittersweet, frenemy (friend+enemy), love-hate.Adjective + Noun: Sweet sorrow (made famous by William . 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 we learn about oxymorons, bittersweet is often one of the first words given as an example. ), so this article explains everything you need to know. As rhetorical devices, oxymorons have been used in many different mediums from political speeches to novels to stage plays. Terrific has positive connotations, as in wonderful or extraordinarily great. Or plastic silverware. All Rights Reserved. Send us feedback. Check out the funniest accidental, and intentional, malapropism examples as well. Here's an example of paradox from George Orwell's Animal Farm: Oxymorons aren't limited to the first few letters of the alphabet. The dictionary defines an oxymoron as a wittily paradoxical turn of phrase that appeals to unconscious responses instead of rational examinations.
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