Painful beautiful is an oxymoron that says the two words are opposing to each other. 21. Separation is such sweet sorrow.
Is “awfully good” an oxymoron?
Is “Awfully Good” an Oxymoron? One of the most common oxymorons that you probably encounter regularly is “awfully good.” Both “awful” and “good” possess contradicting definitions, but together they’re often used to describe something wonderful.
What are the characteristics of an oxymoron?
The defining characteristic of an oxymoron is combining words or phrases that have opposite meanings. Because of this, an oxymoron is often referred to as a contradiction in terms. Oxymorons are not meant to be taken literally. Instead, meaning should be derived from the context in which an oxymoron is used.
What are some good Oxymorons in quotes?
Oxymorons in Sayings and Quotes 1 " Modern dancing is so old fashioned ." - Samuel Goldwyn 2 "I am a deeply superficial person." - Andy Warhol 3 " No one goes to that restaurant anymore. It's always too crowded ." - Yogi Berra 4 "A joke is an extremely serious issue." - Winston Churchill More ...
Why does this phrase qualify as an oxymoron?
This phrase qualifies as an oxymoron because the words "same" and "difference" have opposite meanings. Bringing them together into one phrase can produce a verbally puzzling, yet engaging, effect.
What does the oxymoron painfully beautiful mean?
Saying that a picture or a scene is "painfully beautiful" calls attention to the speaker and the object of inquiry. Such a phrase shows that an object can have two different qualities at once, making it a subject for study and analysis.
Is terribly beautiful an oxymoron?
Oxymoron Example 2 A terrible beauty is born. 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.
What are the 5 example of oxymoron?
His new girlfriend really is pretty ugly. Sorry, I can't help you out right now, I am involved in my own minor crisis. Give me the fifty dollars you owe me or pay for dinner, it's the same difference. My trip to Bali was very much a working holiday.
What does it mean to be painfully beautiful?
"Excruciatingly beautiful" describes something so beautiful it hurts. According to the 2nd definition from the FreeDictionary.com, "excruciating" can also mean intense or extreme.
Is sweet pain an oxymoron?
Thus, an oxymoron might be a configuration of words that expresses a paradox, but the oxymoron is not, itself, the paradox. An example might help: the oxymoron "sweet sorrow" speaks to the paradox that love and pain can go together, but the oxymoron is not, in and of itself, the paradox that it expresses.
What are the 10 examples of oxymoron?
More than a few have even become commonplace expressions in modern-day English, such as these oxymoron examples:accurate estimate.alone together.awfully good.bittersweet.climb down.close distance.grow smaller.jumbo shrimp.More items...•
What are some good oxymorons?
Oxymoron examples in everyday expressionsAwfully good.Bittersweet.Civil war.Definite possibility.Exact estimate.Extinct life.Grow smaller.Only choice.More items...•
What is a good example of an oxymoron?
Oxymorons like “seriously funny,” “original copy,” “plastic glasses,” and “clearly confused” juxtapose opposing words next to one another, but their ability to make sense despite their opposing forces adds wit to writing. Reveal a deeper meaning. The dichotomy of an oxymoron often expresses a complex idea.
Is Jumbo Shrimp an oxymoron?
An oxymoron involves words used to describe an idea. Jumbo shrimp is probably the example of an oxymoron used most frequently. There are many examples, however. A few include: virtual reality, old news, act naturally, almost perfect, clearly misunderstood, and only choice.
What is the longest word for beautiful?
Pulchritudinous is an adjective that means physically beautiful or attractive.
What's a word for extremely beautiful?
What is another word for extremely beautiful?very beautifulalluringgorgeousknockoutstunningexquisiteradiantbeguilingravishingdazzling62 more rows
Can pulchritudinous be used for a man?
It derives from the Latin word pulchritudo that comes from pulcher, beautiful. In its first few centuries, it could be applied equally to both sexes.
What is an oxymoron?
Rather, an oxymoron is a cool literary device you can use in your creative writing. We’ll go over exactly what an oxymoron is and then show you four oxymoron examples from pop culture and literature.
What is the difference between an oxymoron and a paradox?
While an oxymoron is the combination of two contradictory/opposite words in a single sentence, a paradox is an entire phrase/sentence that appears contradictory but , upon further investigation, could be true or plausible. ...
What is the oxymoron in the poem "Easter 1916"?
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.
Why did Yeats use the term "beauty"?
Despite the "terrible" things that happened and the many lives lost, Yeats uses the term "beauty" to bring attention to the positive ideals of independence that gained ground as a result of this event: this desire for self-government is what spurred the Irish War of Independence just a few years later.
What does "good night till it be morrow" mean?
This famous quotation from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet contains an equally famous oxymoron. In this scene, Juliet utters the phrase "sweet sorrow" to describe the feeling she has when having to say goodbye to Romeo.
What are some examples of paradoxes?
One of the most famous examples of a paradox is the sentence, "This statement is false." If this statement is indeed false as it says, then this would actually make it true. But if the statement is true, then it can’t be false, despite the fact it claims to be!
What does the word "sorrow" mean?
Although the adjective "sweet" evokes a giddy, romantic emotion, the word "sorrow" calls to mind the much less happy, far more depressing aspect of having to bid farewell to someone you'd rather not leave.
What is an oxymoron?
Oxymoron Definition. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines two words possessing contradictory meanings to create a startling effect. The term itself contains two opposing ideas, from the Greek word oxys, meaning “sharp,” and moronos, meaning “dull” or “stupid.”. You can find examples of oxymorons in the following sentences: ...
What is the significance of oxymorons in literature?
The best writers know how to use different figures of speech, including oxymorons, to paint the picture that they want and evoke specific emotions from their readers. Examples can be found in the works of ancient Greek poets, William Shakespeare’s sonnets, poems, and plays, ...
How to use oxymorons in a sentence?
If you want to use any of the oxymoron examples listed here, or come up with your own creative spins, follow these steps: 1 First, read more examples of oxymorons. The examples above will help you become more familiar with how to use them. 2 When you want to describe a concept, explore all possible adjectives, including contradictory ones. Write them down on a sheet of notebook paper, or create a mind map by writing your main concept in a circle and drawing lines to other circles with one adjective in each. 3 When you find a pair of contradicting adjectives for the concept you are exploring, string them together and see what effect they have. 4 Continue experimenting until you achieve the result that you wish.
Why are oxymorons used in literature?
Many times, oxymorons in literature help focus the reader’s attention to the existence of more than one way of viewing an experience.
Why do we use oxymorons in the Bible?
The use of the oxymoron invites the reader to ponder more deeply on what it could mean instead of just moving quickly to the next page. Example 5.
Why does Yeats use the oxymoron "terrible beauty"?
Yeats uses the oxymoron “terrible beauty” to show the positive effects coming from that bloody event, with the desire for self-government growing and eventually leading to the War of Irish Independence. Example 4. From The Book of Joel in the King James Bible.
What is the second oxymoron?
The second oxymoron is in the phrase “the great and the terrible day of the Lord.”. To say that something is great implies something good, whereas terrible is defined as something extremely or distressingly bad or serious.
What is Oxymoron?
Oxymoron is a figure of speech that is mostly used in literary language to create uncanny contrast between contradictory terms by putting them side by side.
Types of Oxymorons
Oxymorons can be categorized into different types based on various factors. Depending on the circumstance that the oxymorons are used, they can be categorized as natural, literary, punning, humorous, accidental and deliberate oxymorons. Based on how many words make the oxymoron, they can be divided into single-word and double-word categories.
Example of Oxymorons
Compound Word Oxymorons: Frenemy, love-hate, sophomore, oxymoron, pianoforte etc.
Why do people use oxymorons?
A writer or speaker might use an oxymoron to make speech feel new or original. The endless number of oxymorons that can be created allows for creative and striking new ways of describing similar experiences.
What is the difference between an oxymoron and a paradox?
A paradox is longer. It consists of a phrase, sentence, or even a paragraph while an oxymoron is generally just two words linked together in an unusual way. A paradox feels contradictory, but it has at its heart something truthful while oxymorons are used in order to create drama.
What does Romeo say about Rosaline?
In this short excerpt, Romeo is talking to Benvolio and his obsession with Rosaline. Romeo exclaims these words and concludes with the oxymoronic “loving hate”. This phrase expresses the possibility that love and hate can interact at the same time. One can feel parts of each.
What is an oxymoron?
Table of Contents. An oxymoron (plural: oxymorons or oxymora) is a literary device in which two contradictory ideas appear in conjunction to create a poetic effect. These contrasting ideas may be words or phrases and may be glued together or spaced out in a sentence. Oxymorons usually come in an “adjective + noun” or “adverb + adjective” format.
Why are oxymorons easy to spot?
In many cases, oxymorons are easy to spot because of the obviously opposite meanings of the words in series. However, they can be tricky sometimes, especially if they are written creatively.
What is the purpose of oxymoron?
Purposes of Oxymoron. Like many other rhetorical and literary devices, oxymorons can be used to express one’s poetic creativity. One of the most legendary oxymoron phrases is in Act-II, Scene-II of Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet — “Parting is such sweet sorrow.”.
Why do we use oxymorons in poetry?
Aside from being used in poetry and prose, oxymorons can also be used to create a dramatic effect. For instance, if the phrase “painfully beautiful” is used to describe a painting, it provokes that the painting has a two-pronged quality, making it an interesting subject for analysis and interpretation.
Why do celebrities use oxymorons?
Celebrities also use oxymorons to express entertainment and show that they can make the audience laugh by using creative words. Author Oscar Wilde, for instance, recalled that “he can resist anything, except temptation.”
Is an oxymoron a single word?
Although most oxymorons come in phrases (adjective-noun or adverb-adjective pattern), there are also some that appear as single words. Stop and ponder at these most common ones:
Is oxymoron used in literary works?
The use of oxymoron phrases is also quite common in other literary works written by famous authors. See list below:
What is an oxymoron in English?
Thank-You Speech. Appreciation Speech Examples. Among the many literary devices to ever exist, lies a figurative language that’s seemingly illogical in form. This is called an oxymoron. This is widely used in the English language, be it for ordinary speech or written literature. But regardless of its usage, there’s no denying how oxymoron can add ...
What is an oxymoron in the poem "Bookful Blockhead"?
An excerpt from Pope’s poem wittily describes a person who is fond of reading, yet learns nothing from it. A “bookful blockhead” who is “ignorantly read” is a clear example of an oxymoron that uses humor to convey a given thought.You may also see informative speech.
How does the oxymoron work?
It is clear that oxymoron is a powerful literary device used to add drama and appeal to speech and writing. It helps turn an otherwise dull piece into something that is worth reading through the application of subtle humor. This allows a speaker or writer to perfectly describe or express a given sentiment by using opposites. Oxymora add flavor to our words by incorporating a comical twist that listeners and readers are sure to catch. Despite its witty nature, the oxymoron is an integral part of every language, whether it is written or spoken.You may also see orientation speech.
Why do we use oxymorons in writing?
Many authors incorporate oxymoron into their writing to emphasize the dual nature of a particular idea or concept. This causes a reader to think deeply about the message the writer is trying to get across. While oxymorons simply express the creative mind of an author, it is sometimes used to create a comedic effect in writing as well. You may also see speech examples.
Why is Shakespeare using oxymorons?
While some lines consist of contracting words that are placed beside one another, other examples show how oxymora may also be applied to a statement (such as “misshapen chaos of well-seeming forms”). Here, oxymoron functions to illustrate the conflicting dualities of love and the extremes that one may experience when in love. This helps the author communicate emotions that are difficult to profess in simple terms. And, because the overall theme of Romeo and Juliet centers on tragic love, the very relationship shared by the lead characters is an oxymoron in itself .You may also see Presentation Speech.
Why is the theme of Romeo and Juliet an oxymoron?
And, because the overall theme of Romeo and Juliet centers on tragic love, the very relationship shared by the lead characters is an oxymoron in itself.You may also see Presentation Speech.
What is the difference between an oxymoron and a paradox?
Although an oxymoron is paradoxical in nature, the key difference between the two is how a paradox presents a situation with the unlikely coexistence of two events, while an oxymoron is simply a figure of speech. Although most oxymoron examples are only two words in length, there are instances where the oxymoron may consist ...
