What’s an Oxymoron? (Explanation, with Examples)

What is an oxymoron?

Bittersweet, jumbo shrimp, and virtual reality all share something in common. Can you guess what it is?

If this blatant subtlety (cough) weren’t already obvious enough-we’re talking about oxymorons. Let’s get surface deep, literary.

The meaning of oxymoron

“[oxymoron] A figure conjoining words or terms apparently contradictory so as to give point to the statement or expression,” 1650s, from Greek oxymōron [oxys “sharp, pointed” + mōros “stupid”]. . . The word itself is an illustration of the thing. Now often used loosely to mean “contradiction in terms.”

Put in plain English, an oxymoron is a literary device or figure of speech that uses opposing phraseology to emphasize or embellish writing.

Common examples of oxymorons

Oxymorons have become regular phrases and terms that people constantly use (whether or not they realize they’re using oxymorons).

• civil war
• deafening silence
• only choice/option
• bittersweet
• alone together
• exact estimate
• awfully good
• cruel kindness
• clearly misunderstood
• unbiased opinion
• same difference
• wise fool

Are oxymorons and paradoxes the same?

Oxymorons are when two or more opposite words or phrases are joined together. An example is the idea that you have to spend money to make money, since these are two opposite ideas or choices.

Because oxymorons apply to individual words, they’re a literary technique rather than a literary element. By contrast, paradoxes apply much more broadly to art and literature; they can evolve into a central literary theme or narrative, which is why they’re understood as literary elements (rather than techniques).

Read about other literary devices

• What is Alliteration?
• What is Irony?
• What’s a Pun?
• What’s a Portmanteau?
• What’s a Cliché?
• What’s a Hyperbole?
• What’s an Idiom?

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