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oxymora

ox·y·mo·ron
O o

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [ok-si-mawr-on, -mohr-]
    • /ˌɒk sɪˈmɔr ɒn, -ˈmoʊr-/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [ok-si-mawr-on, -mohr-]
    • /ˌɒk sɪˈmɔr ɒn, -ˈmoʊr-/

Definition of oxymora word

  • noun plural oxymora a figure of speech by which a locution produces an incongruous, seemingly self-contradictory effect, as in “cruel kindness” or “to make haste slowly.”. 1

Information block about the term

Origin of oxymora

First appearance:

before 1650
One of the 45% oldest English words
1650-60; < Late Latin oxymorum < presumed Greek *oxýmōron, neuter of *oxýmōros sharp-dull, equivalent to oxý(s) sharp (see oxy-1) + mōrós dull (see moron)

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Oxymora

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

oxymora popularity

A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 69% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.

oxymora usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for oxymora

noun oxymora

See also

Matching words

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