English Explanatory Dictionary

oxymoron

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A figure of speech in which two words or phrases with opposing meanings are used together intentionally for effect.
  2. A contradiction in terms.

Pronunciation

/ɒksɪˈmɔːɹɒn/ äk-sē-môrʹ-än äk-sĭ-môrʹ-än /ˌɑksiˈmɔɹɑn/ /ɑksɪˈmɔɹɑn/ en-us-oxymoron.ogg en-au-oxymoron.ogg

Word forms

oxymoron oxymorons oxymora

Etymology

First attested in the 17th century, noun use of 5th century Latin oxymōrum (adjective), neut. nom. form of oxymōrus (adjective), from Ancient Greek ὀξύμωρος (oxúmōros), compound of ὀξύς (oxús, “sharp, keen, pointed”) (English oxy-, as in oxygen) + μωρός (mōrós, “dull, stupid, foolish”) (English moron (“stupid person”)). Literally "sharp-dull", "keen-stupid", or "pointed-foolish" – itself an oxymoron, hence autological; compare sophomore (literally “wise fool”), influenced by similar analysis. The compound form ὀξύμωρον (oxúmōron) is not found in the extant Ancient Greek sources.

Antonyms

pleonasm redundancy

Related words

moron oxalic oxy- paradox paroxysm sophomore contranym

Derived words

oxymoronic oxymoronically oxymoronicity oxymoronicness
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