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 Parallel Structure, Figures of Speech: Definition and Examples, Definition and Examples of Dialectic in Rhetoric, High School Literature: The Trump Syllabus, Definition and Examples of Irony (Figure of Speech), 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. What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For? An oxymoron is paradoxical in nature but is a figure of speech rather than a situation or event. Then check out our in-depth guide to the 31 literary devices you must know. An oxymoron presents two seemingly contrasting terms together. He is the only honest thief." The bellicosity of WAR is the other An Oxymoron is a combination of contradictory or incongruous words, such as 'Cruel Kindness' or 'Jumbo Shrimp' (Jumbo means 'large' while Shrimp means 'small').

I went for tech help. Preparing to take the AP Literature test? Adding the adverb "naturally" to the first phrase makes it even more apparent that the subject of discussion is rather unusual, as opposed to the effect the word "weird" would have on its own. ", Oxymorons have been used since the days of the ancient Greek poets. By definition, “immigrants” arrived in the destination country legally.

- Bing Crosby, "No one goes to that restaurant anymore. Definition, Examples of Oxymoron in Literature. Always remember that you are unique, just like everyone else. Bringing them together into one phrase produces a verbally puzzling, yet engaging, effect. Most of the times, we use this concept without actually realizing its existence. –. An oxymoron is a figure of speech. These 50+ oxymoron examples are listed alphabetically and arranged by category (i.e., the type of oxymoron word combination). Still-waking sleep, that is not what it is! By definition, the word “shrimp” refers to something very small. Get Free Guides to Boost Your SAT/ACT Score, our in-depth guide to the 31 literary devices you must know. What ACT target score should you be aiming for? He is frustrated with love and finds it best to express himself through opposites. The word is derived from two ancient Greek words: oxys, which means "sharp," and moronos, which means "dull" or "stupid."

Note: All bold emphasis in the following quotations is my own. Well, there are a few good reasons why, starting with dramatic effect. Below, we provide you with an extensive list of oxymorons. Examples of Oxymoron Oxymoron in William Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet', 'A yawn may be defined as a silent yell', is another example of oxymoron by G. K Chesterton, 'I like a smuggler. These terms express a particular sentiment that is best communicated through opposites. 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. negative income ✓BLIND-SIGHTED ::

Now that we’ve gone over what an oxymoron is, let’s take a closer look at four famous oxymoron examples in sentences to better understand how this literary device actually works.

- Edna St. Vincent Millay, "I generally advise persons never ever to present assistance." We must also inform you that an oxymoron and a moron have little in common except that both words come from the Greek word for "foolish" (mōros). They are used to highlight certain qualities, ideas or to confuse readers. So when contradictory or opposing words are combined, that expression is an oxymoron. Home » The Writer’s Dictionary » What is an Oxymoron? Furthermore, a paradox is generally a sentence or multiple sentences in length.

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. Take this sentence, for example: There are two oxymorons in this sentence: "minor crisis" and "only choice."

Leave a comment and share them with us all. TAX BENEFIT :: BEAUTY MARK. 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.

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points, How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer. You'll find common figures of speech, plus references to works of classic and pop culture. Ask below and we'll reply! The other two oxymorons emphasize the fact that no matter what happens—for example, no matter how sad or defeated the speaker might feel—there will always be a silver lining in that he's with the love of his life. 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. All rights reserved. Generally, the ideas will come as two separate words placed side by side. As said above, oxymorons are used in conversations either by mistake or we deliberately add them for fun. It would be similar to “morally superior hiLIARy supporter”. This is another fine mess you have got us into. This stanza, from Lord Tennyson’s retelling of the tale of King Arthur, uses several oxymorons for poetic effect and as a way to emphasize the conundrum that Lancelot, Arthur’s most loyal knight and friend, finds himself in. Examples of Funny Oxymoron Quotes. Oxymoron Examples Whoever finds English an exciting language to learn, will be familiar with the word 'Oxymoron'. I am a deeply superficial person. By that measure, no crisis is unimportant or minor. Here’s an example of paradox from George Orwell’s Animal Farm: This is a paradox because, as a situation, these two events are contradictory. Despite what it might sound like, no—an oxymoron isn’t something you can call your little brother when he’s bugging you. Read through this article to know more about examples of oxymoron.

Whoever finds English an exciting language to learn, will be familiar with the word 'Oxymoron'. Examples of Oxymoron: Great Depression; Living dead If something is original, then it is not a copy. Often, an oxymoron is used to express a particular sentiment that cannot be otherwise understood. There is a real love hate relationship developing between the two of them. In each example, the oxymoron is underlined. It's often referred to as a contradiction in terms. One oxymoron example is "deafening silence," which describes a silence that is so overpowering it almost feels deafening, or extremely loud—just as an actual sound would. To SHIVA : * DO we have not DOES we have. - Alfred Tennyson, "Modern dancing is so old fashioned." Proofreading Quiz: What’s Your Harry Potter Proofreading Personality? - P.G. Bitter sweet An oxymoron (AHX-ee-MORE-ahn), from the Greek for “pointedly foolish” or “dully sharp,” is a contradiction in terms.It seems illogical on its face, as the basic construction is word + antonymic (the opposite of that word) modifier; for example, minor crisis, as the former means “little or insignificant” while the latter can mean “emergency.” Oxymoron definition: An oxymoron is a type of figurative language that uses apparently contradictory terms. The most common type of oxymoron is an adjective followed by a noun. They add a specific flavour to a sentence or phrase, making it attractive and forceful. INFORMED DEMOCRAT for the same reason. - Yogi Berra, "A joke is an extremely serious issue." These lines come from the hit 2013 song "All of Me" recorded by John Legend. - Oscar Wilde, "And faith unfaithful kept him falsely true." Oxymoron is a figure of speech in which two contradictory or inappropriate terms are either put together or appear side by side. The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points, How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer, Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests. Oxymoron was first recorded in 1650–60 and originates from the Latin word oxymorum via the presumed Greek oxýmōron. The oxymorons here point to Lancelot's contradictory existence in regard to his relationships with both Guinevere and King Arthur: Lancelot is a "faithful" and "honorable" lover to Guinevere yet also an "unfaithful" and "dishonorable" knight to King Arthur, Guinevere’s husband, whom he is essentially betraying by carrying out a love affair with the queen.