Proper Pronunciation Guide
oxymoron
[ɑk sə 
mɔ͜ɚ
ɑn]
Tips:
- Pronounce the first syllable like the word “ox,” the large animal (“strong as an ox”).
- Pronounce the letter “y” as the weak schwa vowel /ə/ because it is in an unstsressed syllable.
- Pronounce the third syllable like the word “more” and stress it.
- Pronounce the unstressed final syllable like the word “on.” (The final two syllables together are pronunced like the word “moron.”)
Practice Sentence:
| The phrase "tough love" is an oxymoron. |
Definition:
(noun) A figure of speech that uses a seeming contradiction to make a point ( literally: to be a moron, or stupid, on purpose).