pretty ugly

Unregistered · 08-Dec-2006, 18:04

what is it called when you use two words with contradictory meanings for example: that girl is pretty ugly

**MikeNewYork** · 08-Dec-2006, 18:39

Originally Posted by Unregistered

what is it called when you use two words with contradictory meanings for example: that girl is pretty ugly

oxymoron

**RonBee** · 08-Dec-2006, 22:09

In the sentence in question pretty is not used as an adjective meaning attractive. Instead, it's an adverb meaning somewhat; to a certain degree.

pretty
adv.
1. To a fair degree; moderately: a pretty good student.
pretty - definition of pretty by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.

~R

**MikeNewYork** · 08-Dec-2006, 22:41

Originally Posted by RonBee

In the sentence in question pretty is not used as an adjective meaning attractive. Instead, it's an adverb meaning somewhat; to a certain degree.

pretty

adv.

1. To a fair degree; moderately: a pretty good student.

~R

Yes, but that's true of many listed oxymorons. In jumbo shrimp, "shrimp" doesn't mean small.

**RonBee** · 09-Dec-2006, 04:23

Originally Posted by MikeNewYork

Yes, but that's true of many listed oxymorons. In jumbo shrimp, "shrimp" doesn't mean small.

True. Also, a jumbo shrimp isn't large except in relative terms. (Some question whether "jumbo shrimp" is truly an oxymoron.)

~R

**Tdol** · 09-Dec-2006, 05:35

I've seen 'airline food' on many such lists and, while amusing, it is a very dubious one.

Thread: pretty ugly