euphemism

American  

[yoo-fuh-miz-uhm] / ˈju fəˌmɪz əm /

noun

euphemisms plural

1. the substitution of a mild, indirect, or vague expression for one thought to be offensive, harsh, or blunt.

2. the expression so substituted.

   “To pass away” is a euphemism for “to die.”

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euphemism British  

/ ˈjuːfɪˌmɪzəm /

noun

1. an inoffensive word or phrase substituted for one considered offensive or hurtful, esp one concerned with religion, sex, death, or excreta. Examples of euphemisms are sleep with for have sexual intercourse with; departed for dead; relieve oneself for urinate

2. the use of such inoffensive words or phrases

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euphemism Cultural  

1. An agreeable word or expression substituted for one that is potentially offensive, often having to do with bodily functions, sex, or death; for example, rest room for toilet, lady of the evening for prostitute. The Nazis used euphemism in referring to their plan to murder the world's Jews (see also Jews) as “the Final Solution.”

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• euphemist
  noun
• euphemious
  adjective
• euphemistic
  adjective
• euphemistical
  adjective
• uneuphemistic
  adjective
• uneuphemistical
  adjective
• euphemiously
  adverb
• euphemistically
  adverb
• uneuphemistically
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• euphemisms
  plural

Etymology

Origin of euphemism

First recorded in 1650–60; from Greek euphēmismós “use of words of good omen,” from eu- eu- + phḗm(ē) “speaking, fame” + -ismos -ism

Explanation

Pardon me, but when a polite term is substituted for a blunt, offensive one, you should call it a euphemism. Euphemism is from Greek euphemismos, meaning "good speech," and it's a way that we paper over uncomfortable things with more pleasant-sounding words. These days we tend to use euphemisms when talking about anything having to do with elimination of bodily waste: toilet, bathroom, and water closet were all originally euphemisms. The military is also notorious for using euphemisms, like saying "neutralizing the target" instead of "killing someone."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

euphemism euphemisms

It has never really been used as a euphemism for murder.

From Salon ● May 8, 2026

Like others interviewed, Gudiño declined to offer any political views, especially “after what happened” — the common euphemism for the U.S. attack.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 30, 2026

The Colombian film “A Poet” is, yes, about a poet, though that title takes on a revolving set of connotations—an aspiration, an occupation, a mocking epithet, a euphemism for “unemployed.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 29, 2026

However in China the accusation of wrongdoing is usually a euphemism for corruption.

From BBC ● Jan. 24, 2026

It is too solid and unequivocal a term to be used as a euphemism and this seems to be what we are attempting.

From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas

House Speaker Mike Johnson could win an award for military euphemisms.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 10, 2026

In fact, we had a whole vocabulary of different words and euphemisms we could use so as not to think too deeply about the unthinkable or our possible role in making it happen.

From Salon ● Dec. 7, 2025

And it could shift the national conversation from euphemisms and proxies to the real question: What do we owe the descendants of those who built this country?

From Slate ● Oct. 7, 2025

They use euphemisms online to communicate the things they are not supposed to mention.

From New York Times ● Jun. 4, 2024

I could offer to draw the curtains but I know she’s speaking in euphemisms; no amount of drawn curtains could make my room presentable for the subscribers to Bell System.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse