OXYMORON Definition & Meaning

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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 51�Թ� Forms

�ǳ�·��·��·��ǲ�·�� [ok-see-m, uh, -, ron, -ik], adjective

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51�Թ� 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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51�Թ� 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.

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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.

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

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Has the term “Dodgers organization” become an oxymoron?

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

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