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oxymoron

[ok-si-mawr-on, -mohr-]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Rhetoric.

plural

oxymora, oxymorons

a figure of speech by which a locution produces an incongruous, seemingly self-contradictory effect, as in “cruel kindness” or “to make haste slowly.”

oxymoron

/ ˌɒ��ɪˈ��ɔː��ɒ�� /

noun

rhetoric an epigrammatic effect, by which contradictory terms are used in conjunction
living death
fiend angelical

oxymoron

A rhetorical device in which two seemingly contradictory words are used together for effect: “She is just a poor little rich girl.”

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Other Word Forms

oxymoronic adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of oxymoron¹

First recorded in 1650–60; from Late Latin oxymorum, from presumed Greek �ǳ�ý��ō��ǲ� (unrecorded), neuter of �ǳ�ý��ō��ǲ� (unrecorded) “sharp-dull,” equivalent to �ǳ�ý(��) “sharp” ( oxy- ¹ ) + ��ō��ó�� “dull” ( moron )

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Word History and Origins

Origin of oxymoron¹

C17: via New Latin from Greek �ǳ�ܳ�ō��ǲ�, from oxus sharp + ��ō��ǲ� stupid

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Affordable housing is increasingly an oxymoron and a cruel joke.

From

Hell, he got Tulsi Gabbard confirmed by the Senate as the Director of National Intelligence – and most Democrats thought uttering her name and the word “intelligence” in a sentence was an oxymoron.

From

“The phrase ‘homeless veteran’ should be an American oxymoron,” the complaint said.

From

Has the term “Dodgers organization” become an oxymoron?

From

For me, the phrase “solo show” has always kind of been an oxymoron.

From

oxymetazoline oxymorphone

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