oxymoron

/ɒksɪˈmɔːɹɒn/

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.

oxymoron means A figure of speech in which two words or phrases with opposing meanings are used together intentionally for effect. Lexicurio rates it Rare gem — a strength score of 84 out of 100.

oxymoron is pronounced /ɒksɪˈmɔːɹɒn/.

Why “oxymoron” is a great word

OXYMORON — [Noun] A rhetorical figure in which two contradictory terms are conjoined to create a striking, often paradoxical effect. From Ancient Greek ὀξύς (oxús, “sharp, keen”) + μωρός (mōrós, “dull, foolish”), literally 'sharp-dull'; first attested in English in the 17th century. Unlike pleonasm (an unnecessary accumulation of similar terms) or tautology (a redundant circling of the same idea), the oxymoron is a deliberate collision of opposites. It is the deafening silence of a deserted street, the cruel kindness of a necessary lie, or the bittersweet ache of a fond memory—a small, grammatical proof that truth often resides not in purity, but in tension.

noun

A figure of speech in which two words or phrases with opposing meanings are used together intentionally for effect.“In Oxymoron jarring phrases join And terms opposed in harmony combine.”
A contradiction in terms.“During the past few years, some 200 class-action suits have been filed against food manufacturers, charging them with misuse of the adjective in marketing such edible oxymorons as “natural” Cheetos Puffs, “all-natural” Sun Chips, “all-natural” Naked Juice, “100 percent all-natural” Tyson chicken nuggets and so forth.”