oxymoron

/ˌɒksɪˈmɔːrɒn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌɑːksɪˈmɔːrɑːn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌäk-si-ˈmȯr-ˌän -sē-/ (ame, mw)

oxymoron — noun

  • oxymoronsingular
  • oxymoronsplural

1. an expression that places clashing ideas side by side for effect, such as "deafe

1.名詞C2
釋義

an expression that places clashing ideas side by side for effect, such as "deafening silence".

例句

In class, Stephanie called 'deafening silence' a classic oxymoron.

pattern: call X an oxymoron

Min wrote 'bittersweet' under oxymoron on the classroom board.

classroom use: identify an oxymoron

同義詞
  • paradox

    broader; a paradox is usually a full idea or situation that seems impossible, not just a short phrase

  • contradiction

    more general; it names any clash in meaning, while an oxymoron is a deliberate literary pairing

用法筆記

Usually refers to a short expression in discussions of language, writing, or humour. Distinguish it from paradox, which is often a larger idea or situation rather than a compact phrase.

常見錯誤

❌The whole story is an oxymoron because it seems impossible.
✅The whole story is a paradox.
💡an oxymoron is usually a short phrase with conflicting words, not a complete situation.