juxtaposition
Juxtaposition (noun) means the placing of two things side by side, especially so that the contrast or connection between them stands out. Example: “The juxtaposition of the glass tower and the medieval church is startling.”
How to Use Juxtaposition
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishPutting two very different things next to each other so the difference shows.
Formal to neutral; a staple of art, literature and design criticism.
Use of or with after it: the juxtaposition of A and B, or A in juxtaposition with B. The verb is juxtapose.
Trace the full origin ↓Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ of the glass tower and the medieval church is startling.
Etymology
From Latin juxta, "beside", combined with position; the term entered English via French juxtaposition.
Related Words
Rhymes for juxtaposition
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between juxtaposition and contrast?
Contrast is the difference itself; juxtaposition is the act of placing things together so that difference becomes visible. You can contrast two ideas in separate chapters, but you juxtapose them only by putting them side by side.
What is the difference between juxtaposition and oxymoron?
An oxymoron squeezes contradictory terms into a single phrase, like "deafening silence". Juxtaposition sets two separate elements next to each other and lets the reader feel the tension. An oxymoron is a phrase; a juxtaposition is an arrangement.
Does juxtaposition always involve opposites?
No. The things placed together only need to be different enough for the pairing to say something. Two similar images can be juxtaposed to reveal a subtle distinction.