oxymoron
pronunciation
How to pronounce oxymoron in British English:
UK [ˌɒksɪˈmɔ:rɒn]
How to pronounce oxymoron in American English:
US [ˌɑksɪˈmɔrɑn]
-
- Noun:
- conjoining contradictory terms (as in `deafening silence')
Word Origin
- oxymoron (n.)
- 1650s, from Greek oxymoron, noun use of neuter of oxymoros (adj.) "pointedly foolish," from oxys "sharp" (see acrid) + moros "stupid" (see moron). Rhetorical figure by which contradictory terms are conjoined so as to give point to the statement or expression; the word itself is an illustration of the thing. Now often used loosely to mean "contradiction in terms." Related: Oxymoronic.
Example
- 1. They thought such a book was an oxymoron .
- 2. Before that oxymoron was a technical term describing a rhetorical device .
- 3. Fifth , the doctrine of expansionary fiscal contraction is an oxymoron in the current context .
- 4. They learn the words parable , oxymoron and hyperbole .
- 5. Oxymoron as a contradiction in terms didn 't show up until 1902 when someone who worked hard at being lazy was said to be a living oxymoron .