Approaching the end of the alphabet, there are still more oxymorons to explore. The John Legend song "All of Me" has a catchy verse with an oxymoron: Nineties kids might remember the oxymoronic (and often outright moronic!) Well provide oxymoron examples and provide guidance on how theyre used, but first, lets look at a more thorough oxymoron definition. Drop us a line or let's stay in touch via : Subscribe for writing hacks, special offers and free stuff, 2023 - Orpheus Technology, prowritingaid.com. Many oxymorons have become part of our daily language to the point where they now make sense and seem normal. Ever. insertListLink('', 1, 2, 'endfirsth2'). Oxymoron is a figure of speech that uses two opposing words or contradictory words to convey a new idea. 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. You'll have definitely heard some in everyday conversation. Bittersweet. Emerson writes that a friend should be a beautiful enemy. The first word demonstrates something attractive, while the latter references someone who is an adversary. In many ways, the most important friendship in our lives is the one we have with our romantic partners. This might sound silly, but finding friends can be challenging! By extension, oxymorons deal with the contrast between the meanings of words, but paradoxes focus on the contrast between complete ideas. With over 300k subscribers and 4 million readers, Smart Blogger is one of the world's largest websites dedicated to writing and blogging. How to use oxymoron in a sentence. Now that we know the definition of oxymoron, let's take a look at some examples. An example of dramatic irony comes from the play Oedipus Rex. Before you lash out, learn how to de-identify and maintain your perspective. We make the relationship a priority no matter what coast each other is on. With loads of learned lumber in his head . First, they make life more enjoyable. There are oxymorons throughout the alphabet, from "a" to "z." Artist Andy Warhol once described himself as a deeply superficial person. A studyfound that women who had more than 10 sexual partners prior to marriage showed an increase in divorce rates. Oxymoron is an effective literary device. For some real-world examples of oxymorons in writing, review a few lines from literature and songs. The inherent setup of contradictory words works great for jokes and other witty statements. At first, a paradox may not make sense, but it causes deeper reflection. Why friends are so important Having solid friendships is important for two main reasons. show CatDog. Countries engage in civil war or fight holy wars to defend those with blue blood. Oxymoron is also a literary device, but is considered a condensed paradox. Oxymoron A joining of two seemingly contradictory terms. Love and Friendship When Freak. For example, sorority girl lawyer might be an oxymoron that summarizes the plot of Legally Blond. Privacy Policy. Time and distance do nothing to diminish the bond we have in the deepest kinds of friendship. Now that's an Oxymoron. During one of these hikes, I met Jim, one of my best friends to this day. 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. Get Free Guides to Boost Your SAT/ACT Score, our in-depth guide to the 31 literary devices you must know. Sometimes people aren't trying to make a profound statement when they use oxymorons. Psychology Today 2023 Sussex Publishers, LLC. This way youll have the opportunity to connect with people who have similar interests. A great example is the movie, Legally Blonde, starring Reese Witherspoon. The violent display ultimately led to thousands of deaths and injuries. There are many great oxymorons out there, and more are discovered and invented every day. For even more examples of oxymorons in sentences, take a look at these examples of funny oxymoron quotes. Here are 67 examples that we think youll, Modern pop culture works hard to attract the attention of the targeted viewer or, In fact, many modern authors are coming up with their own as well, for, These examples might help you use oxymorons to good effect in your, And where did this insane notion of buying loyalty come from? Today, we are taking a deep dive into the definition of this literary device. In the below example, perhaps I could have said "aristocrats" or "high born", which both convey an identical meaning without being clichd. In speech, oxymorons can lend a sense of humor, irony, or sarcasm. The tricky part is that it will take two people to fix that issue. What Are Some Examples of Oxymorons in Pop Culture? She has a background in anthropology and education, which brings fresh perspectives to her romance novels. While they can be effective if used intentionally, clichs can make your writing feel stale and unimaginative. 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. In Charlotte Bront's classic Jane Eyre, St. John describes his love Rosamond as "delicious poison". For example, if a character is described as a man child, this oxymoron calls up a humorous image of a child that looks like a man or vice-versa. ", In Animal Farm, George Orwell uses an oxymoron in the midst of a paradox: "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.". Physical objects have a completely different natural economy than intellectual goods. Catfishing, or the use of a fake online persona to lure someone into a false relationship, has grown increasingly common in recent years. Juxtaposition is about placing two things side by side to bring out their differences; its about comparing situations, ideas, emotions, characters, settings, and events. What I hope you take away from this post is this friendships take energy, time, and commitment. a person who is on good terms with another; a person who is not hostile" We are friends; we have been for a long time. There are quite a few in just the first three letters. Shakespeare was a master of using oxymoron in his plays and poems. Friendship ought to be a gratuitous joy, like the joys afforded by art, or life (like aesthetic joys). May they inspire you through all your writing adventures. O loving hate! If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Two things that can greatly improve our lives are engaging in the here and now and seeing life as play rather than work. Placing contrasting words next to each other makes each one stand out more, just like placing contrasting colors together. Oscar Wilde. 'Feminist comedy,' practically an oxymoron, had a couple of good years after WWII. See in text("Friendship"). Yes! Men have long been silent and stoic about their inner lives, but theres every reason for them to open up emotionallyand their partners are helping. ThoughtCo, Feb. 16, 2021, thoughtco.com/awfully-good-examples-of-oxymorons-1691814. Afterward, he writes an entire book, just to memorialize his friend and tell their story. It can also be more situational. However, liar has negative connotations, as in someone who is untruthful or deceptive. James Bond approached the beautiful women he encountered in every assignment with cool passion. How true are your interpretations of your partner's behavior? Our analytical, problem-solving mind knows how to live not. No, it's not an insult! In Greek, oxys means sharp or keen, and moros means foolish or dull. The pairing of contradictory terms grabs attention, generates surprise, and creates an impression. One of the most famous examples of a paradox is thesentence, "This statement is false." Owl Eyes is an improved reading and annotating experience for classrooms, book clubs, and literature lovers. William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, A damned saint, an honorable villain! Virtual reality is an oxymoron because "virtual" implies that something isn't real, but reality implies that it is. Here are some examples of oxymoron that may be found in everyday expression: insertListLink('', 2, 2, 'shortexamples'). Together, oxymoros meant "pointedly foolish". Unfortunately, the people I had dedicated time to thus far were achievement-oriented and were pouring their time into work and not our friendships. 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. Like a paradox, an oxymoron is whats known as a contradiction in terms, although oxymorons and paradoxes are two different things, as explained below. The word oxymoron is an ancient Greek word, which translates most closely to something like sharply dull or cleverly stupid. In other words, the oxymoron definition is itself an oxymoron. Friendship is a wonderful word, it might be the most
An oxymoron is a figure of speech, usually one or two words, in which seemingly contradictory terms appear side by side. Generally, the ideas will come astwo separate words placed side by side. Friend is defined as "a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard; a person who gives assistance; patron. in a unique way thats particularly expressive. Be careful though if you want to use one. I do things that you wouldn't associate with a good little Christian girl. For some of these examples, the oxymorons are linked to two phrases within the sentence rather than a single phrase. . PostedDecember 15, 2013 Oxymorons are cynical and fun. Check out her website or follow her on Instagram: @krystalncraikerauthor. But pairing it with deafening gives silence a very distinct meaning, comparing it to a loud noise that draws extra attention. The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points, How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer. The word "oxymoron" is itself oxymoronic, which is to say contradictory. 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. Like other kinds of figurative language, oxymorons (or oxymora) are often found in literature. Grace Slick Heres a tip: Want to make sure your writing shines? powerful, a gift of great value! Today well focus on how to choose friends who enrich our lives and make them more beautiful. Take this sentence, for example: There are two oxymorons in this sentence: "minor crisis" and "only choice." by William Shakespeare, wherein combining things that contrast is an ongoing theme.) Combined, the two words add a third dimension to the meaning of friendship: there is delight in the torment. Listen for more examples from your music playlists or Netflix queue. It may seem illogical or unrealistic, but, upon reflection, its based in reality and stems from valid reasoning. Alex Lickerman, M.D., is a general internist and former Director of Primary Care at the University of Chicago and has been a practicing Buddhist since 1989. William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, O brawling love! An oxymoron is a literary device that juxtaposes contradictory terms. Sprinkle in a few to evoke a laugh, a sense of wonder, drama, playfulness, and more. that juxtaposes contradictory terms. "100 Awfully Good Examples of Oxymorons." This excerpt from Irish poet William Butler Yeats famous poem "Easter 1916" has the prominent oxymoron "terrible beauty," which is repeated again at the end of the poem. The oxymoronic phrase "delicious torment" exemplifies the conundrum of friendship. An oxymoron is also a noun that's defined as "a figure of speech by which a locution produces an incongruous, seemingly self-contradictory effect, as in 'cruel kindness' or 'to make haste slowly.'" So when contradictory or opposing words are combined, that expression is an oxymoron. Be the friend you want to have. Now you can see that oxymorons add humor or drama to speech or writing, allowing you to make a funny or pointed remark. Oxymorons are often used poetically as a way of bringing out a fresh meaning in a word or phrase. Theoxymorons here point toLancelot's contradictory existence in regard to his relationships with both Guinevere and King Arthur: Lancelot isa "faithful" and "honorable" lover to Guinevere yet also an "unfaithful" and "dishonorable" knight to King Arthur, Guineveres husband, whom he is essentially betraying by carrying out a love affair with the queen. There are plenty of other oxymoron examples in pop culture. Here are some of the more famous oxymoron examples from historical literature: All the pain he had endured was as nothing compared with the exquisite agony of this. Frequently Asked Questions About oxymoron. In short, an oxymoron is a versatile literary device. Instead, it takes linguistic skill in knowing which words, though opposing, will work together to have an effect on the reader. "Hook-up sex" is mostly void of relationship beyond the physical connection; a form of playing by using each other's bodies. Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come. From 2013 to 2015, she taught English in Japan via the JET Program. Self-determination theory says that we have three psychological needs for optimal well-being: relatedness, competence, and autonomy. One example of a skillful oxymoron isreal fake. Paradox is another literary device in which a statement features initially contrasting ideas. Second, our friends help us through the difficult times. They're like finding home. 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. Also, they often lead the reader to an underlying truth. As a literary device they can serve many functions. Oxymoron is sometimes used to describe a word combination that strikes the listener as humorously contradictory, even if the speaker didn't intend it that way. With the first oxymoron,"perfect imperfections," the speaker is making it clear that his lovers flaws are ultimately what make her the perfect partner for him. Add a great title, like an oxymoron that represents the poetry of the lyrics, and you have a song thats a beloved classic for years to come. Consider the common oxymorons and think about times they may have been included in conversations you have had. When there are bumps in a friendship or a romantic relationship, its important to work through those tough times. I urge you to take stock of your friendships and ask yourself if your current friends people build you up and support you, or is the friendship more one-sided? Like. Youll learn how to create lifelong fans who hang on your every word so you never have to break through the noise again. They can enhance writing and communication in a variety of ways, including by adding dramatic effect. An oxymoron is a common rhetorical device that combines two or more words with contradictory meanings into a single phrase. This contradiction is also known as a paradox. If you didn't know, a stallion refers to a male horse. He gave me a. Also, this oxymoron is ironic in the context of a poem in which a funeral is the subject. Also, mastering the oxymoron is an elegant way to weave clever wordplay into your creative writing. 20 Editing Tips From Professional Writers, How to Use Alliteration to Improve Your Writing, Improve Your English Grammar With These Sites. In fact, theyre quite common in everyday speech across multiple languages, with new ones surfacing all the time often with humorous results. Usually, oxymorons are made up of just two words, but paradoxes are complete sentences, sometimes entire paragraphs. A grammar guru, style editor, and writing mentor in one package. I don't feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth . You'll find common figures of speech, plus references to works of classic and pop culture. What are Phonemes, Graphemes, and Digraphs? (One, in particular, is in Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, wherein combining things that contrast is an ongoing theme.) Oxymoron can also serve as a means of elevated language when used to express a sense of irony. Ask questions; get answers. beautiful one on earth. Placing contrasting words next to each other makes each one stand out more, just like placing contrasting colors together. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Chalk it up to the forced female autonomy that occurred during wartime, when Rosie the Riveter went to work in the factories, constructing the Allies' war machines while taking charge of the finances, the home, and the children. First, I have the privilege of being Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee. Comma Before "Except": When You Do and Don't Need One, List of 50 "In Conclusion" SynonymsWrite Better with ProWritingAid. But when you find these people, these kenzoku, they're like priceless gems. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines contradictory words with opposing meanings, like old news, deafening silence, or organized chaos. Oxymorons may seem illogical at first, but in context they usually make sense. Having solid friendships is important for two main reasons. Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Idylls of the King, Parting is such sweet sorrow. 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