  What's an 'oxymoron'? It's a pair of back-to-back words or phrases that mean exactly the opposite. For example, 'Country & Western' really isn't music! Get it? O.K., bad example. Here's a better one. Found and missing are opposites. But when used together in a sentence, they make an oxymoron. Got the idea? Here's another: 
Normally screams are the opposite of silence, so that's an oxymoron. Sometimes an oxymoron's unusualness makes a very effective tool in writing; the idea you're trying to get across is more vividly described when you use an oxymoron. Especially if it's a unique one! For example, 'clearly misunderstood', or Shakespeare's 'sweet sorrow' (he was good at oxymorons!) Sometimes, though, the oxymoron happens by accident, and may be amusing; for example, diet ice cream. Here are some more examples.
My daughter Emily is an amazing writer; I was easily able to find several oxymorons of hers: O.K., we're terribly pleased that you now understand almost exactly what oxymorons are, so no-one can now call you a butt head, even when you're alone together. |