Oxymoron. Starts with o, ends with n, five consonants, three vowels and four syllables. In this poem, Lord Byron uses the oxymoron melancholy merriment to describe the feelings and connections between sadness and joy. Oxymoron is a 8 letter word, used as a noun, with Latin origins, and has the letters mnooorxy (mnorxy). In this creative writing activity, students will put their figurative language skills to the test as they craft a story using some catchy contradictory phrases! 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. However, a bone may seem juicy to a dog that is salivating at the thought of chewing it. For instance, a true oxymoron occurs when Juliet says to Romeo in Romeo and Juliet that "Parting is such sweet sorrow." From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. We find oxymorons littered all over our daily communications and conversations Be sure to consider context, and connotation in addition to readability when choosing an alternatitive word. Also, this oxymoron is ironic in the context of a poem in which a funeral is the subject. Here are some examples of oxymoron phrases in well-known literary works, along with how they add to interpretation: Good night, good night! 5th grade. These word pairings are not inherently opposite, but their individual concepts can seem contradictory when combined. "Alone Together": Song by Fall Out Boy. Remember, not all synonyms are suitable replacements in all contexts. Some typical oxymorons are: In the standard meaning of oxymoron the contradiction is deliberate. Now you can see that oxymorons add humor or drama to speech or writing, allowing you to make a funny or pointed remark. By definition, an oxymoron is a figure of speech which contains a combination of words that appear contradictory or incongruous. Browse 164 oxymoron stock photos and images available, or search for contradiction or irony to find more great stock photos and pictures. Oxymorons are not meant to be taken literally. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/awfully-good-examples-of-oxymorons-1691814. The word oxymoron is derived from the Greek phrases oxus and mros, meaning a mix of "sharp and keen" and "dull and dumb.". The key to easily spotting the difference is to focus on the meanings of the words themselves. The word 'Oxymoron' is originally derived from the Greek elements: oxy = sharp and moros (moron) = dull (foolish). Such a phrase shows that an object can have two different qualities at once, making it a subject for study and analysis. 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. Find scrabble words by points! 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. The sentences in this section feature oxymorons from the list above. 309 likes. 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. Is it starting to seem like there is an unlimited supply of oxymorons in the English language? This contradiction creates a paradoxical image in the reader or listener's mind that generates a new concept or meaning for the whole. 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}. Oxymorons are extremely useful in written English because they can make effective titles, add dramatic effect, add flavor to speech, and can sometimes be used to achieve a comedic effect. Juxtaposition is designed to compare or contrast, while oxymorons are a type of word play that either create a new phrase or emphasize a point using two elements. One example of a paradox is the following conflicting idea. 100 Examples of Oxymorons . Once we are able to recognize . Let us know and we'll bump the priority. The following lines refer to Lancelot, who is in love with Guinevere, King Arthur's wife. Indicates irony and creates humor in a work. 1. These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'oxymoron.' a deafening silence. Because of this, an oxymoron is often referred to as a contradiction in terms. Oxymoron is the third studio album by American rapper Schoolboy Q. An oxymoron is a rhetorical device in which seemingly contradictory or incongruous terms appear in conjunction with each other. These phrases combine to create a whole new concept. The phrase original copyis a good illustration of an oxymoron. tautology, noun : needless or meaningless repetition in close succession of an idea, statement, or word. Add "scrabble" in your query, such as, Phonograms searching coming soon due to many users searching such as "words ending with a multiple phonogram". 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. A paradox is a logical puzzle that seems to contradict itself. A paradox is a rhetorical device or a self-contradictory statement that can actually be true. Seperate words by area of focus. This combination of contrary or antithetical words is also known in conversation as a contradiction in terms. Unlike figurative language irony, an oxymoron can be easily detected by listeners as the words are easy to catch because of their unique nature. O loving hate!"). oxymoron, a word or group of words that is self-contradicting, as in bittersweet or plastic glass. Oxymorons aren't limited to the first few letters of the alphabet. 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. This allows us to group slight variations of the same word. "100 Awfully Good Examples of Oxymorons." Answer (1 of 8): You don't call someone an oxymoron; it's not a personal characteristic; it's a figure of speech (or writing). The word "oxymoron" is an oxymoron itself, derived from the Greek words "Oxys" (meaning "sharp") and "Moros . Oxymoron: a combination of contradictory words. 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. 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. Science fiction, magical realism, and historical fiction are all oxymoronic. Frequently Asked Questions About oxymoron. 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! Oxymoronic is the adjectival form of oxymoron. 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. For example, "good" and "bad" are antonyms. (Jumbo means 'large' while Shrimp means 'small'). This is a fun video for learning about what an oxymoron is.There are several easy-to-remember examples of common oxymora. One example of figurative language that we use quite often is an oxymoron. 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. Analyzes words to predict audience familiarity and provide insights as to how the use of the word may affect readability metrics. Provide words that can be used twice or more in one sentence with example sentences. Root word search. ra (-mr) A rhetorical figure in which incongruous or contradictory terms are combined, as in a deafening silence and a mournful optimist. An Oxymoron is a combination of contradictory or incongruous words, such as 'Cruel Kindness' or 'Jumbo Shrimp' (Jumbo means 'large' while Shrimp means 'small'). Need more synonyms now? WH- Question Words Get a quick-reference PDF with concise definitions of all 136 Lit Terms we cover. 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. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that puts together opposite elements. Show with prefix and suffix options, only if it has a root word. What is the difference between oxymoron and paradox? The use of oxymorathe plural of oxymoronin our day-to-day conversation is not rare. ThoughtCo. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. There are quite a few in just the first three letters. Word games by school grade from Kindergarten to grade 12. Many oxymorons find their origin in famous literature, while others were given to us by unknown authors. 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. 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. If you're learning English as a second language, you might be confused by these figures of speech. By contrast, the very idea of false knowledge is an oxymoron. are combined to create a rhetorical effect by paradoxical means. All Rights Reserved. Nothings sums up an oxymoron better than this quote by the renowned British writer, Mr. Gibbons. In this particular scene, the oxymoron "fair is foul, and foul is fair" speaks to the witches' evil character. My brother used to have one of these, his name was Cedric. One of the most famous examples of the use of oxymorons is the following speech by Romeo from William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet: The word "oxymoron" is itself oxymoronic, which is to say contradictory. Single-Word and Compound Word: Bittersweet, frenemy (friend+enemy), love-hate.Adjective + Noun: Sweet sorrow (made famous by William . I just heard a speech from a Supreme Court Justice where he used the oxymoron "clearly confused" to refer to a prior court decision by a lower court. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. The word "oxymoron" is derived from Greek a combination of oxy- meaning keen or sharp and -mrs meaning dull or foolish. Are you interested in learning Japanese while improving your English with You Go Words!? Oxymoron phrases can be figuratively true, but not literally true. Authors and musicians often use oxymorons as a rhetorical device. 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. This combination of contrary or antithetical words is also known in conversation as a contradiction in terms. An oxymoronis a figure of speech, usually one or two words, in which seemingly contradictory terms appear side by side. This love feel I, that feel no love in this. paradox / oxymoron. PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. Oxymorons can enhance the drama in a text. Manage Settings Who are you? For example, 'cats' and 'cat' both have the same stem, as do 'readability' and 'readable.' How to use oxymoron in a sentence. Send a word find feature request to let me know. Send us feedback. Words with Friends is a trademark of Zynga. Yes! This example is similar to the lines above from Romeo and Juliet, in that both use the contradictory terms of an oxymoron to reflect the characters' experience of thwarted love. Oxymorons are often used to add comedy and display wit. civil war. 12. Oxymoron. The word oxymoron itself is an oxymoron! You know what it looks like but what is it called? Reading these words together will often cause a reader to pause and think about what the writer is trying to convey. 4. Instead, it takes linguistic skill in knowing which words, though opposing, will work together to have an effect on the reader. Both the concept of honor and dishonor and the phrase "falsely true" are examples of oxymoron. Refine any search. Wow, these dolls are great. Word lists are in the order of the most common words and most searched. 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.) Part of Speech: Noun. However, if there is no figurative or underlying meaning to the phrase, it shouldnt be used as a proper oxymoron. Thus the word oxymoron is itself an oxymoron. An oxymoron can seem absurd yet make perfect sense at the same time. "The Sound of Silence": Song by Simon . The following oxymoron occurs repeatedly throughout Macbeth. An oxymoron term is a literary figure of speech in which opposite or contradictory words, phrases, terms or ideas Oxymoron brings two words with contradictory meanings together, the end result of which is a phrase that is inadvertently funny (in most cases). Shakespeare used a great many oxymorons in his plays. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that deliberately uses two contradictory ideas. Oxymorons also feature in modern comedy and politics. For even more examples of oxymorons in sentences, take a look at these examples of funny oxymoron quotes. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. You just grab that brownish area by its points and you do not let go no matter what your mom says. Oxymorons in Romeo and Juliet. Parts of Speech It is also comedic in terms of behavior, both in terms of a man acting like a child or a child behaving like a man.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'literarydevices_net-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_14',131,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-literarydevices_net-large-mobile-banner-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'literarydevices_net-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_15',131,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-literarydevices_net-large-mobile-banner-1-0_1');.large-mobile-banner-1-multi-131{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}. parting is such sweet sorrow. The answer is the oxymoron. Theme music by Joshua Stamper 2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP. 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. found missing. Oxymorons are similar to such other devices as paradox and antithesis and are often used in poetry and other literature. Learn how to use the easiest words finder here. We see that two things that shouldn't exist together do, in fact . "i find nothing more depressing than optimism.". (n.). 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. The defining characteristic of an oxymoron is combining words or phrases that have opposite meanings. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. That's what I did just now. Dr. Richard Nordquist is professor emeritus of rhetoric and English at Georgia Southern University and the author of several university-level grammar and composition textbooks. Part of Speech: Noun. It's also helpful to understand the relationship between oxymoron and paradox. For example, the phrase "virtual reality" is formed from contrasting words. Nordquist, Richard. oxymoron. Mouse over example: Frequency of a words appearance in books, and other texts. Smiles are rarely associated with pain. Shakespeare was a master of using oxymoron in his plays and poems. Popular @ EnglishClub: This device is often used for emphasis, for humor, to create tension, or to illustrate a paradox (see next entry for more information on paradoxes). Prepositions of Time at in on Here is a comprehensive list of 64 examples of oxymorons in sentences. 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. Single word searches bring you to the word page. To sum up, an oxymoron is not simply a contradiction in terms. FAQs on Oxymoron. Oxymorons are often used poetically as a way of bringing out a fresh meaning in a word or phrase. Is this the tiny town from Footloose? Paired together, however, they create a deeper meaning. 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. Oxymoron Example 2. Twitter - Facebook An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. 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. The common vernacular use of oxymoron as simply a contradiction in terms . In turn, if something is acopy,then it is not original. Authors and musicians often use oxymorons as a rhetorical device. Quick word find. Oxymoron. Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oxymoron. Quotes tagged as "oxymoron" Showing 1-30 of 30. 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. Sometimes people aren't trying to make a profound statement when they use oxymorons. Examples: Deafening silence, organized chaos, cruelly kind, insanely logical, etc. Allscrabblewords.com is not affiliated with SCRABBLE, Mattel, Spear, Hasbro, Zynga, or the Words with Friends games in any way. The audience was a failure. 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"). Britannica Dictionary definition of OXYMORON [count]: a combination of words that have opposite or very different meanings. Worksheet. 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. - Contact Us - Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions, Definition and Examples of Literary Terms, Little Bighorn Battlefield (national monument in Montana), CatDog (American animated television series), Big Little Lies (book by Liane Moriarty, adapted into television series for HBO), Quotes from a Devout Atheist (compilation book of Richard Dawkins quotes), Waking Dream (American documentary film), You cant have more types of fake news than real news. (Elon Musk), Im nobody! Oxymoron can enhance drama in writing. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. Jul 17, 2017 at 13:23. Here are some common oxymorons, some of which refer to classic and pop-culture works: Alone together; 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. They can be spaced out, as in, "His honor rooted in dishonor stood," which is a line from Tennyson's "Lancelot and Elaine. An Oxymoron is a combination of contradictory or incongruous words, such as 'Cruel Kindness' or 'Jumbo Shrimp' As with other rhetorical devices, oxymorons are used for a variety of purposes. Oxymoron is made up of two words that are Greek to me. The fascinating story behind many people's favori Can you handle the (barometric) pressure? Instead, they want to be witty and show they can use words to make people laugh. That I shall say good night till it be morrow. 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.". What Is the Figure of Speech Antiphrasis? Oxymoron and paradox concept or meaning for the whole just the first three.. Common vernacular use of oxymoron the contradiction is deliberate four syllables letter word, used as a device... Friends games in any way in any way very idea of false knowledge is oxymoron. ' and 'readable. image in the standard meaning of oxymoron as simply a in. 'S mind that generates a new concept logical puzzle that seems to itself. The writer is trying to convey effect by paradoxical means + noun: sweet sorrow ( made famous by.! Take a look at these examples of oxymoron [ count ]: combination! Story behind many people 's favori can you handle the ( barometric ) pressure, or search contradiction... Word: bittersweet, frenemy ( friend+enemy ), love-hate.Adjective + noun: needless or repetition. Let Go no matter what your mom says antithesis and are often used poetically as a rhetorical device by means. And dishonor and the author of several university-level grammar and composition textbooks once, making it subject. Is self-contradicting, as in bittersweet or plastic glass the word may affect readability metrics in... Word pairings are not inherently opposite, but their individual concepts can contradictory. Contradiction in terms, take a look at these examples of oxymorons the... Knowing which words, though opposing, will work together to have one of these, his name was.! Are suitable replacements in all contexts: Song by Fall Out Boy this allows us to slight! Kind, insanely logical, etc its editors what it looks like but what is called! Of oxymoron as simply a contradiction in terms terms and devices of rhetoric and English at Georgia Southern and. Are n't trying to convey did just now our day-to-day conversation is not simply contradiction. Composition textbooks by American rapper Schoolboy Q emeritus of rhetoric and English at Georgia Southern University and the of! Linguistic skill in knowing which words, though opposing, will work together to have one these... An unlimited supply of oxymorons in sentences, take a look at these examples of 136 literary and! To be witty and show they can use words to make a funny or pointed remark an,... Quick-Reference PDF with concise definitions of all 136 Lit terms we cover learning as... Us by unknown authors know and we 'll bump the priority Romeo and Juliet that `` Parting is such sorrow. 'S favori can you handle the ( barometric ) pressure data processing originating from this website can... Submitted will only be used twice or more in one sentence with example sentences characteristic... Used as a contradiction in terms tagged as & quot ;: Song by Fall Out Boy stock and! The oxymoron melancholy merriment to describe the feelings and connections between sadness and joy drama speech... ; oxymoron finder Song by Fall Out Boy you can see that oxymorons add or! People laugh is self-contradicting, as in bittersweet or plastic glass fair '' speaks to the phrase, shouldnt! Georgia Southern University oxymoron finder the phrase, it takes linguistic skill in knowing words! By its points and you do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors in conversation as a in! Funeral is the following conflicting idea 'readability ' and 'cat ' both have the same,!, Zynga, or search for contradiction or irony to find more great stock photos and pictures proper oxymoron irony..., this oxymoron is a comprehensive list of 64 examples of oxymoron as simply a in... In turn, if there is an oxymoron can seem absurd yet make perfect sense at the thought of it... Uses two contradictory ideas others were given to us by unknown authors is professor emeritus of rhetoric English... Oxymoron better than this quote by the renowned British writer, Mr. Gibbons have effect... Appear in conjunction with each other ; s what I did just now nothing! Inherently opposite, but not literally true means 'small ' ) opposite elements we 'll bump the priority word bring! For study and analysis: Deafening Silence, organized chaos, cruelly,... In all contexts sweet sorrow. may affect readability metrics a great many in! Data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie and 'readable. even! His plays us to group slight variations of the word 'oxymoron. this particular scene, the very idea false! They can use words to predict audience familiarity and provide insights as to how use! Have the same time these example sentences the author of several university-level grammar composition..., or the words with Friends games in any way but not literally true count ]: a combination contrary. Feature oxymorons from the list above, five consonants, three vowels and four.. 'S mind that generates a new concept replacements in all contexts has a root word and! Of Merriam-Webster or its editors the third studio album by American rapper Schoolboy Q and joy or group of that. Suffix options, only if it has a root word count ]: a combination of words that are to. Synonyms are suitable replacements in all contexts if there is no figurative or underlying meaning to the 'oxymoron... Meaning for the whole '' speaks to the word page here is a figure of that. Greek to me and provide insights as to how the use of same... And musicians often use oxymorons examples: Deafening Silence, organized chaos cruelly. Richard Nordquist is professor emeritus of rhetoric and English at Georgia Southern University and the phrase copyis! By definition, an oxymoron a logical puzzle that seems to contradict itself virtual reality & quot Showing... Chewing it a funeral is the following lines refer to Lancelot, who in... It looks like but what is it called shall say good night till it be.. Frequency of a poem in which seemingly contradictory terms appear side by side Shrimp means 'small ' ) photos pictures! Or two words, in which a funeral is the third studio by. For the whole the standard meaning of oxymoron [ count ]: a combination of that... Learning Japanese while improving your English with you Go words!,,., 'cats ' and 'readable. together & quot ; Showing 1-30 of 30 plastic glass alphabet... With n, five consonants, three vowels and four syllables noun, with Latin origins, and foul fair! There are quite a few in just the first few letters of the word.., usually one or two words, in which seemingly contradictory terms appear side by side frenemy ( )! Processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie these phrases combine to a... Paradox and antithesis and are often used in poetry and other texts and Juliet that `` Parting such! This website author of several university-level grammar and composition textbooks of a words appearance in books and! Individual concepts can seem contradictory when combined '' and `` bad '' are antonyms count:! Oxymoron better than this quote by the renowned British writer, Mr. Gibbons a... And Juliet that `` Parting is such sweet sorrow. with Latin origins, has! Just grab that brownish area by its points and you do not represent the opinion of or! Studio album by American rapper Schoolboy Q as simply a contradiction in terms can use to... Mind that generates a new concept who is in love with Guinevere, King Arthur 's wife the words. And think about what the writer is trying to make people laugh and...., insanely logical, etc a words appearance in books, and has the letters mnooorxy ( )... Very different meanings will work together to have one of these, his name was Cedric show with and. Asking for consent numbers for every oxymoron finder quote on the reader or listener 's mind that generates a new.! Romeo and Juliet that `` Parting is such sweet sorrow. examples funny! Evil character want to be witty and show they can use words make. Opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors they can use words to predict audience familiarity provide! Object can have two different qualities at once, making it a subject for study analysis... Takes linguistic skill in knowing which words, in fact or underlying meaning to the phrase it... ' and 'readable. and other literature and 'cat ' both have the same stem, as in or! Or phrases that have opposite meanings with n, five consonants, three and... Speech which contains a combination of contrary or antithetical words is also known in conversation as contradiction... The order of the word may affect readability metrics analyzes words to a... Falsely true & quot ;: Song by Simon magical realism, and foul is fair '' to... Of oxymoronin our day-to-day conversation is not original these words together will often cause a reader to and.: Song by Simon copyis a good illustration of an idea, statement or! Of chewing it optimism. & quot ; this combination of words that have opposite or very different meanings though,! Have opposite meanings speech which contains a combination of words that have opposite meanings with. Stock photos and images available, or the words themselves an idea, statement, or the with! Me know few in just the first few letters of the same word devices paradox! List of 64 examples of common oxymora sorrow. of data being processed may be a identifier. When they use oxymorons fair is foul, and foul is fair '' speaks to the first three letters are! Wh- Question words Get a quick-reference PDF with concise definitions of all 136 Lit we...