an expression that contains words with opposite meanings, for example ‘a bitter sweet experience’ (=an experience that is both unpleasant and pleasant)
Synonyms and related words
Types of phrase or expression
adage
aphorism
axiom
oxymoron
noun countable literature
US /ˌɑksiˈmɔˌrɑn/
Word Forms
singular
oxymoron
plural
oxymorons
DEFINITIONS1
1
an expression that contains words with opposite meanings, for example “a bitter sweet experience” (=an experience that is both unpleasant and pleasant)