Single Word Oxymorons for IELTS Speaking&Writing

An oxymoron is a word that contains two opposite ideas. They are easy to remember and very good to use in Speaking and Writing modules of the IELTS.

Bittersweet

This word combines two taste sensations: bitter and sweet are often contrasted. Bittersweet is the word for a pleasant feeling that is nonetheless marked by sadness or regret, such as the feeling one might have upon ending something good, for example, graduating from school or moving out of one’s parents’ house. In cuisine, it describes things like dark chocolate, which is sweet and, at the same time, has a sharper taste than milk chocolate.

Preposterous

This synonym for “ridiculous” means: “contrary to nature, reason, or common sense,” as in “a preposterous suggestion.” The prefix prae- means “in front of, before,” and posterus means “following” or “behind”. Combining the idea of before and after leads to a word that describes something that does not make much sense.

Sophomore

Sophomore is the term for a student in the second year at college or a 4-year secondary school. That noun contains sophos, the Greek adjective meaning “wise,” and its opposite mōros, meaning “foolish.” The idea is that after a year into high school or college, a teenage sophomore might think they know everything, but in reality, they are not wise yet.

Pianoforte

This Italian term used in the arts combines the adjectives for “soft” and “loud.” The music direction forte-piano means “loud then immediately soft.” Our word piano, referring to the instrument, is actually short for pianoforte.

Spendthrift

A thrifty person does not like to spend money. A thrift store is generally cheap and sells vintage and second-hand clothing. However, spendthrift means someone who spends money wastefully. A spendthrift is a person who foolishly spends savings accumulated through the careful management of money.