Oxymoron is probably one of the most compelling twists in language loaded with humourous possibilities. Oxymoron, according to Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, is a phrase that combines two words that seemed to be the opposite of each other. While according to ThoughtCo., an oxymoron is considered as a figure of speech in which one or two contradictory words appear side by side. This figure of speech is frequently used in literary text to create a dramatic effect within the story. it is also used in speech to deliver sense of humor, irony or even sarcasm.

          The word “oxymoron” is derived from two ancient words; “oxys” meaning sharp and “moronos” which means dull or stupid. As you can see, the word “oxymoron” itself is actually oxymoronic, which is contradictory one another.

          If we are learning English as the second language, we might be confused by these phrases. But once we get used to it, we’d be able to recognize such phrases easily. Citing the listed source, Richard Watson Todd once said, "The true beauty of oxymorons is that, unless we sit back and really think, we happily accept them as normal English."   

          For starters, we’re about to provide you with several common english oxymorons alongside with its meaning. Check them out below!

1. bittersweet

          The word “bitter” is the opposite of the word “sweet”. “Bitter” is often associated with medicine or raddish, while “sweet” is commonly associated to candy or sweets.

          Citing Merriam Webster Dictionary, “bittersweet” is the word for a pleasant feeling that is marked by sadness or regret, such as the feeling one might have upon graduating from school, where many friendships were made. In cuisine, it describes things like dark chocolate, which is thought of as sweet but in reality contains little sugar, so has a sharper taste than regular chocolate.

2. awfully good

          Eventough it sounds like we’re saying that something is bad, the phrase “awfully good” actually means that something is really really good. For example, if somebody is having a mouth-watering lamb skewer and it tastes delicious, you would probably hear them say “this lamb skewer is awfully good.”.

3. pretty ugly

          “Pretty” is often associated with something that is beautiful, as in pretty sunset, pretty girl or pretty garden. Meanwhile, “ugly” is used to refer to something that is terrible to look at.

          The expression “pretty ugly” actually means that something is really ugly. The word “pretty” here is being used as “really”. So when somebody says that something is pretty ugly, it means the thing is really ugly.

4. definitely maybe

          This phrase is oxymoron because “definite” means a hundred percent sure. Meanwhile “maybe” means uncertainty. So it’s not a hundred percent sure.

          Let’s say you are invited to a party and you need to make a reservation whether you’d come or not. When you say “definitely maybe”, it means you really hope to come, but don’t want to commit that you’ll definitel come. So you leave it open by saying “definitely maybe”.

          Hope those phrases above help you understand oxymoron better!

Source:

https://www.thoughtco.com/awfully-good-examples-of-oxymorons-1691814

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