oxymoron

Meanings

Noun

conjoining contradictory terms (as in `deafening silence')
A figure of speech in which two words or phrases with opposing meanings are used together intentionally for effect.
A contradiction in terms.

Origin / 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.

Antonyms

pleonasm, redundancy

Scrabble Score: 20

oxymoron is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
oxymoron is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
oxymoron is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 21

oxymoron is a valid Words With Friends word