Meaning of the word oxymoron in English

What does oxymoron mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.

oxymoron

US /ˌɑːk.sɪˈmɔːr.ɑːn/
UK /ˌɒk.sɪˈmɔː.rɒn/
"oxymoron" picture

Noun

a figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction (e.g., 'faith unfaithful kept him falsely true').

Example:
The phrase 'jumbo shrimp' is a classic example of an oxymoron.
'Deafening silence' is a common oxymoron used to describe an intense quiet.