code word

American  

noun

1. code name.

2. a euphemistic or politically acceptable catchword or phrase used instead of a blunter or less acceptable term.

   The official report said the diplomats had a “frank and serious discussion”—code words for “angry argument.”

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Etymology

Origin of code word

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

code word

Dillehay held herself out as an example of a woman who failed; she said she had dated men who were “flippant,” which appears to be her code word for fun.

From Salon ● Sep. 28, 2026

She said it was false “that an executive planted a code word to catch” Bisignano reading the email.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026

Don’t change the code word unless you need to.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 1, 2025

North wants to remind parents and teachers that every generation has their secret code word.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2025

“Hey, maybe she really is Chip’s birth mother. Or—or mine. Maybe that’s what witnesses really meant. Like, it’s a code word or something.”

From "Found" by Margaret Peterson Haddix