paradox
C1formal
Definition
Meaning
A statement or situation that seems contradictory or impossible but may be true or valid.
A person, thing, or situation exhibiting an apparently contradictory or conflicting nature.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often used in logic, philosophy, and rhetoric to describe a self-contradictory proposition; also used broadly for any counterintuitive or puzzling circumstance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or meaning differences. Slight preference for 'paradoxical' (adj.) over 'paradoxic' in both variants.
Connotations
Equally strong academic/logical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British academic writing (per corpus data), but common in both.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
paradox of + NOUN (paradox of choice)paradox that + CLAUSE (the paradox that more freedom can cause more anxiety)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a paradox in terms”
- “live a paradox”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Describes contradictory market behaviours (e.g., 'the paradox of thrift').
Academic
Used in logic, philosophy, physics, and social sciences to describe theoretical contradictions.
Everyday
Describes puzzling personal situations (e.g., 'It's a paradox that he's lonely in a crowd.').
Technical
Specific logical or mathematical paradoxes (e.g., Russell's paradox, Fermi paradox).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- (No direct verb form; used as noun) 'The theory seems to paradox its own premises.' is rare and non-standard.
American English
- (No direct verb form; used as noun) 'To paradox' is not a standard verb.
adverb
British English
- (Rare) 'Paradoxically, the cheaper product lasted longer.'
- She argued, somewhat paradoxically, for less control to gain more influence.
American English
- Paradoxically, the medicine made him feel worse before he got better.
- The system functions paradoxically well under pressure.
adjective
British English
- The paradoxical nature of quantum mechanics fascinates researchers.
- She found herself in a paradoxical situation.
American English
- The paradoxical result surprised everyone.
- He made a paradoxical statement that stopped the conversation.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- It is a paradox that the quietest student gave the best speech.
- The paradox is that sometimes doing nothing is the best action.
- The author explores the paradox of freedom: too much choice can lead to anxiety.
- The Fermi paradox questions why, given the high probability of extraterrestrial life, we have not encountered any evidence of it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
PARA (beside) + DOX (opinion) = an opinion beside the expected one → a contradiction.
Conceptual Metaphor
A KNOT IN LOGIC, A MIRROR THAT REFLECTS CONTRADICTION.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating directly as 'парадокс' in overly casual contexts where 'странность' or 'противоречие' might be more natural.
- In Russian, 'парадокс' can sound more technical; ensure context fits.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing with 'paradigm'.
- Using as a direct synonym for 'problem'.
- Misspelling as 'paradoxical' when noun form is needed.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes a 'paradox'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Irony involves a contrast between expectation and reality, often with a humorous or poignant twist. A paradox is a logical or conceptual contradiction that may reveal a deeper truth.
Some logical paradoxes can be resolved by clarifying definitions or assumptions. Others remain unsolvable contradictions within a given system, often prompting new ways of thinking.
Not inherently. It describes a state of contradiction, which can be negative, positive, or neutral depending on context. It often carries a tone of intellectual intrigue.
An oxymoron is a concise phrase combining contradictory terms (e.g., 'deafening silence'). A paradox is a broader concept or statement that is self-contradictory, often requiring more explanation.
Collections
Part of a collection
Abstract Thinking
B2 · 49 words · Words for ideas, reasoning and intellectual concepts.
Literary Language
C1 · 48 words · Vocabulary for reading and writing about literature.
Formal Debate Language
C2 · 48 words · Language for structured academic and political debate.
High-Level Idiomatic Expressions
C2 · 45 words · Sophisticated idiomatic and nuanced vocabulary.
Rhetoric and Argumentation
C2 · 49 words · Advanced tools of persuasion and argumentation.