I sort of know what it means... like fire and water. A word that cancels out the other one. But what's the actual definition?
2007-03-22 14:40:34 · 8 answers · asked by Sunshine O 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
One entry found for oxymoron.
Main Entry: ox·y·mo·ron
Pronunciation: "äk-sE-'mor-"än
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural ox·y·mo·ra /-'mor-&/
Etymology: Late Greek oxymOron, from neuter of oxymOros pointedly foolish, from Greek oxys sharp, keen + mOros foolish
: a combination of contradictory or incongruous words (as cruel kindness); broadly : something (as a concept) that is made up of contradictory or incongruous elements
- ox·y·mo·ron·ic /-m&-'rä-nik, -mo-/ adjective
- ox·y·mo·ron·i·cal·ly /-ni-k(&-)lE/ adverb
Websters online
2007-03-22 15:01:41 · answer #1 · answered by carly071 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An oxymoron is a word or phrase that seemingly contradicts itself.
e.g. Icy Hot Patch, jumbo shrimp, sweet and sour, living dead, ect.
And I am terribly sorry, but Sidney, that is not even close to the truth.
2007-03-22 21:47:40 · answer #2 · answered by feral_black_gryphon 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A phrase that contradicts itself.
e.g. Military Intelligence
Jumbo shrimp
Deafening silence
2007-03-22 21:48:40 · answer #3 · answered by Donald G 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
an oxymoron is basically a paradox, meaning that it is illogical in its existence. much like "feather of lead". feathers are supposed to be light, whilst lead is heavy. how can something be physically light and heavy at the same time?
it cannot exist. that is basically what an oxymoron is.
2007-03-22 21:53:53 · answer #4 · answered by silivren 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A rhetorical figure in which incongruous or contradictory terms are combined, as in a deafening silence and a mournful optimist.
2007-03-22 21:54:49 · answer #5 · answered by Violet 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A contradiction in terms
2007-03-22 22:42:30 · answer #6 · answered by №1 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
oxymorons are two things that ironically go together such as peanut-butter and jelly
2007-03-22 21:45:51 · answer #7 · answered by B RizZzZzLe 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
a word or words that contradict.
2007-03-22 22:09:21 · answer #8 · answered by J Leigh ♥ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋