How to understand – and use – English oxymorons

Jeanne Perrett
Woman and a child sat outdoors reading

If you had to explain what an oxymoron is, what would you say? And would you know how to use one correctly? You might even be using oxymorons already completely by accident. After all, how many times have you talked about a “small crowd”, described someone as a “big baby” or gossiped about an “open secret”?

Let’s explain more about the term. An is a figure of speech where two words of opposed or contradictory meaning are used together to create emphasis. While some oxymorons are created by accident – such as “small crowd” – sometimes they are used deliberately to draw attention to something or to create drama for the reader or listener. Let’s take a closer look at some popular English oxymorons and get to the bottom of what they actually mean.

What are oxymorons?
Play
Privacy and cookies

By watching, you agree app can share your viewership data for marketing and analytics for one year, revocable by deleting your cookies.

1. Big baby

This is an oxymoron because all babies are small. The word ‘big’ is added to emphasize the fact that someone is acting more childishly than you would expect. All babies can be childish but, for some reason, adding the word ‘big’ communicates that the person you are talking about is even more childish than a regular-sized baby.

“The teacher told James not to be such a big baby when he complained about having too much homework.”

2. Act naturally

When you act, you are pretending to be someone that you are not naturally, and yet, it is very common to use the phrase “act naturally” to encourage someone to be themselves. This oxymoron works because often people have to work hard – against their desires – to just be themselves in certain company or in certain situations.

“When you meet your new boss, just act naturally.”

3. Organized mess

How can a mess be organized? This oxymoron is often used to describe the chaos that someone has created – but when they actually know where everything is.

“I can find everything on my desk because it is an organized mess.”

4. Open secret

If something is a secret, no one else is supposed to know about it. This oxymoron is a great way to describe a fact that started off as a secret, but now a select number of people know about it. Many people will gossip about this 'secret', but won’t necessarily spread it any further.

“Everyone at the party knew about Sarah’s new boyfriend as it was an open secret.”

5. Small crowd

By definition a crowd is a substantial amount of people – but adding the word 'small' makes it easier for us to imagine the difference between a crowd of 100 compared with a crowd of 500 people.

"We found a seat at the concert as there was only a small crowd of people there."

6. Deafening silence

Silence can't deafen you but it's used to describe a situation where there is a complete and noticeable lack of communication or noise. This absence of sound can be so powerful that it creates a significant emotional impact.

"The group was anxiously waiting for the doctor to respond. There was a deafening silence in the room."

7. Wise fool

Appearances can be deceiving. A wise fool is someone who seems foolish or unintelligent at first but may actually be wiser than you think.

"The hermit was a wise fool, offering meaning insights about life to those who visited him."

Oxymorons in the English language can be a terribly good way to enhance your writing and speaking, making it more varied and interesting. Try to remember any you come across and add it to your English repertoire. There are hundreds to find.

More blogs from app

  • Children sat in a classroom with raised hands, their teacher stands at the front of the class

    GSE Partner School Program: Batari School and Maitreyawira School

    By Thomas Gardner
    Reading time: 4 minutes

    The Global Scale of English (GSE) Partner School program by app stands as a beacon of innovation and excellence. This initiative is not just about enhancing English language ability: it's about transforming the educational journey for both teachers and students. Today, we celebrate the success stories of two institutions: Batari School and Maitreyawira School, both of which have embraced the GSE Partner School program with inspiring results.

  • Two people sat togther with phones smiling

    Don't give up when it comes to learning English

    By
    Reading time: 2 minutes

    We love sharing stories of English learners and educators whose lives have been positively transformed by the language. One such inspiring story comes from Rodrigo Tadeu in São Paulo, Brazil. Discover why he holds a special appreciation for mastering English.

    Motivations for learning English?

    Rodrigo grew up speaking Portuguese in South America. As a child, he never thought about learning another language. However, when he became an adultand began aspiring to a career, he realized that expanding his language abilities would help him achieve these dreams.

    "I worked as an accountant for an American company," he said. "So, to communicate and achieve professional success, I had to learn English!"

    Rodrigo has changed jobs since then. And even though he’s no longer required to speak English with his new company, he still feels a responsibility to himself to continue his education.

    The road to English fluency

    There are many tools that you can use to improve your English language skills, and Rodrigo used several – some he’s still using to this day. First, he started learning English formally by taking classes in high school. However, his shy disposition made it difficult for him to practice because he was afraid of failing in front of others. At the time, he didn't havecareer goals motivating him to learn the language either.

    Later, however, our adventurous accountant decided to learn English in earnest, so he traveled to Canada to study and become aconfident speaker. When he returned to Brazil, he kept studying and continues to do so. Reading books and articles, listening to podcasts and copying other English speakers have also helped develop his conversational skills. Among his favorite podcasts are "English as a Second Language" and "Freakonomics".

    English learning is not without challenges

    Rodrigo noted that he struggles with pronunciation most.“The way English speakers say words is very different than the way you would say something in Portuguese.”

    He thinks the issue is the same for Spanish speakers as well."In Portuguese or Spanish, if you know the words,you can basically speak exactly what you read. In English, it's totally different. You cannot speak the words that you are reading. So you have to know about this!"

    This might be the most challenging part of learning the language for Rodrigo, but he assured us that he’s not giving up.

    English for enjoyment

    Rodrigo may have initially studied English as a way to progress his career, but the language quickly became something he enjoyed.And instead of being content with the skill that he has now, Rodrigo dreams of continuing his English-speaking education so he can travel and further enjoy his life.

    "These days, English has become fun!" he said. "Now it's better to watch movies and TV in English."

    He also mentioned that he eventually would like to visit Europe. But when asked about his dream destination, Rodrigo said that:“I’d like to move back to Canada, maybe live in Vancouver for a year or two!”

    Advice for English language learners

    After working hard for years to learn English, Rodrigo now offers advice to fellow Brazilians (and others) who wish to speak another language:

    "You have to be confident, and don’t give up. You have to keep your dreams. It's difficult to ... speak one language that's not your mother language ... If you can imagine, you can achieve, and you can do. So 'don't give up' is the perfect phrase."

  • Students sat in a library looking over a computer smiling

    Why students still choose the U.S. for their study dreams

    By
    Reading time: 2 minutes

    In a world full of study destinations, the United States continues to stand out. Despite shifting visa policies and rising competition from other countries, students from around the globe still set their sights on the U.S. for one big reason, it offers more than just a degree. It offers a valuable launchpad.

    So, what keeps the U.S. at the top of students’ wish lists? And why should admissions teams continue to lean into this global interest?

    Prestige that opens doors

    The U.S. is home to some of the world’s most prestigious universities. From Ivy League institutions to top-ranked public colleges, the reputation of a U.S. degree carries weight. For many students, studying in the U.S. is not just about education, it is about opportunity. Employers around the world recognize the value of a U.S. degree, and that recognition can open doors to global careers. 

    Flexibility that fits ambition

    Unlike many other systems, U.S. universities allow students to explore. They can choose a major and a minor, or even switch paths as they discover new interests. This flexibility is a huge draw for students who are still figuring out their future or who want to combine passions, like pairing economics with environmental science, or computer science with music. 

    A campus experience like no other

    American campus life is iconic for a reason, made famous from movie scenes seen across the world. From sports and clubs to dorm life and student unions, the sense of community is strong. For international students, this can make all the difference. It is not just about the academic life, it is about belonging. And for many, that community becomes a second home. 

    Career-boosting extras

    Internships, research opportunities, and strong alumni networks are all part of the U.S. university experience. Students are not just learning in the classroom, they are building resumes, making connections, and preparing for the job market.

    The American dream still inspires

    For many, the U.S. represents possibility. It is a place where ambition is welcomed, where diversity is celebrated, and where students can imagine a future that feels bigger than their present. That dream still resonates, and it is one that admissions teams can help bring to life.