Oxymoron Meaning in English

word

US

ˌɑkˈsiˈmɔɹɑn

ok-see-MOR-on

UK

ˌɒksɪmˈɔːɹɒn

ok-si-MAW-ron

Definition

An oxymoron is a figure of speech where two opposite or contradictory words are put together, like 'jumbo shrimp' or 'deafening silence', to create a new meaning.

Usage & Nuances

Mostly used in literature and writing to describe phrases with contradictory terms. Common examples: 'bittersweet', 'act naturally'. Not the same as 'paradox', which is a whole situation, not just a phrase.

• Spanish: oxímoron
• Portuguese (BR): oxímoro
• Portuguese (PT): oxímoro
• Chinese (Simplified): 矛盾修饰法 - 矛盾语
• Chinese (Traditional): 矛盾修辭法 - 矛盾語
• Hindi: विरोधाभासी संयोग
• Arabic: تعبير متناقض (أوكسيمورون)
• Bengali: অক্সিমোরন
• Russian: оксюморон
• Japanese: オキシモロン
• Vietnamese: phép nghịch hợp
• Korean: 모순어법
• Turkish: oksimoron
• Urdu: متضاد الفاظ
• Indonesian: oksimoron

Example Sentences

'Bittersweet' is a common oxymoron in English.

basic

An oxymoron uses two opposite words together.

basic

'Deafening silence' is an example of an oxymoron.

basic

Writers love using an oxymoron to make their language more interesting.

natural

Calling something 'seriously funny' is a clever oxymoron.

natural

You hear oxymorons every day, even if you don't realize it.

natural