Main Entry:

ox·y·mo·ron

Pronunciation:

\ˌäk-sē-ˈmȯr-ˌän\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural ox·y·mo·rons also ox·y·mo·ra \-ˈmȯr-ə\

Etymology:

Late Greek oxymōron, from neuter of oxymōros pointedly foolish, from Greek oxys sharp, keen + mōros foolish

Date:

1657

: a combination of contradictory or incongruous words (as cruel kindness) ; broadly : something (as a concept) that is made up of contradictory or incongruous elements

— ox·y·mo·ron·ic \-mə-ˈrä-nik, -mȯ-\ adjective

— ox·y·mo·ron·i·cal·ly \-ni-k(ə-)lē\ adverb