The juxtaposition definition is the act of placing two things close together, side by side, so that people notice how they differ or connect. A photo of a shiny glass tower rising behind a row of tin-roofed shacks is a juxtaposition: the closeness makes the gap in wealth impossible to miss.
Writers, artists, filmmakers, designers and advertisers all use it. Two ideas that might seem ordinary on their own can surprise, amuse or unsettle you when they appear next to each other. The word can also be plain description, simply meaning two things happen to sit close together.
Entry at a glance
Meaning
Placing things side by side so a contrast or link stands outPart of speech
Noun; verb juxtaposePronunciation
juk-stuh-puh-ZISH-uhn; verb JUK-stuh-pohzWord forms
juxtapose, juxtaposed, juxtaposing, juxtapositionsOrigin
French juxtaposition, from Latin iuxta (beside) + position; English from the 1660sClose words
contrast, comparison, antithesisRegister
Formal and literary; common in essays and reviews
What does juxtaposition mean?
The juxtaposition meaning has two parts. First, the physical or structural part: two things are placed near each other, in a sentence, a picture, a stage set or a shop window. Second, the effect: because they are close, we compare them. Often the point is contrast (rich and poor, old and new, silence and noise). Sometimes the point is a hidden similarity.
To define juxtaposition in a phrase: deliberate nearness that makes us compare. The verb is juxtapose: "The exhibition juxtaposes ancient pots with modern plastic bottles."
Juxtaposition definition in literature and art
In writing, juxtaposition is a technique rather than a fixed figure of speech. A novelist may follow a joyful wedding scene with a funeral, or describe a character's cheerful words next to her shaking hands. A poet may set a bright image beside a dark one in a single line. Readers feel the tension without being told what to think.
In visual art and photography, it means arranging objects, colours or people so that they comment on each other. In film, editors cut from one scene to a very different one for the same reason. Designers use it too: a heavy black font next to a light, delicate one creates energy on a poster.
Examples you can picture
- The café menu juxtaposes classic masala chai with a matcha cold brew.
- In her essay she juxtaposes her grandmother's village childhood with her own city life.
- The juxtaposition of a tiny puppy and a huge sleeping dog made the photo go viral in our family chat.
- For homework we had to spot two juxtapositions in the opening chapter of the novel.
- The new glass extension is juxtaposed against the red brick of the old library.
Where the word comes from
French gave English this noun in the 1660s. The French word joins Latin iuxta, meaning beside or very near, with position, a placing. So the literal sense is a placing beside. The verb juxtapose came much later, in the 1820s, formed back from the noun or taken from the French verb juxtaposer.
Juxtaposition compared with similar devices
| Term | How it works | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Juxtaposition | Places two things near each other | A mansion beside a slum |
| Contrast | Any difference pointed out; nearness not needed | Summer was hot, winter mild |
| Antithesis | Opposite ideas in balanced grammar | Easy to start, hard to finish |
| Oxymoron | Two opposite words fused in one phrase | Deafening silence |
| Paradox | A claim that sounds self-defeating yet proves true | Less is more |
A juxtaposition can produce irony, for instance a no-littering sign standing in a pile of rubbish. It can also sharpen a dichotomy by showing the two sides together.
Spelling and usage tips
The word is long, so break it into chunks: juxta + position. A common slip is "juxtoposition" with an o. Use "the juxtaposition of A and B" or "A juxtaposed with B"; both read naturally. In essays, avoid using it just to sound clever: explain what the closeness achieves. Want further writing terms? Our literary terms page lists them.
Frequently asked questions
How would a teacher explain juxtaposition to a class?
Juxtaposition means putting two things next to each other so you notice how they are different or alike. Teachers often ask what effect that pairing creates.
Is juxtaposition the same as contrast?
Not exactly. Contrast is any difference between things. Juxtaposition is the act of placing them close together, which usually creates contrast but can also reveal a similarity.
How do you pronounce juxtaposition?
Say juk-stuh-puh-ZISH-uhn, with the main stress on ZISH. The x sounds like ks.
Is juxtaposition a literary device?
Yes. It is a widely taught technique in literature, used to build tension, irony or theme. It also appears in art, film, music and design.
Can juxtaposition be accidental?
Yes. Two unrelated things that happen to sit side by side, like a gym next to a doughnut shop, can form an amusing juxtaposition without anyone planning it.
What is the verb form?
Juxtapose. You can juxtapose two images, two ideas or two characters, and the result is juxtaposed elements.