euphemism
[ yoo-fuh-miz-uh m ]
/ ˈyu fəˌmɪz əm /
noun
the substitution of a mild, indirect, or vague expression for one thought to be offensive, harsh, or blunt.
the expression so substituted: “To pass away” is a euphemism for “to die.”
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RELATED WORDS
Nearby words
eupepsy, eupeptic, euphausiid, euphemious, euphemiously, euphemism, euphemistic, euphemize, euphonia, euphonic, euphonious
Origin of euphemism
Related forms
Can be confused
euphemism euphuismDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for euphemism
British Dictionary definitions for euphemism
euphemism
/ (ˈjuːfɪˌmɪzəm) /
noun
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
the use of such inoffensive words or phrases
Derived Forms
euphemistic, adjectiveeuphemistically, adverbWord Origin for euphemism
C17: from Greek euphēmismos, from eu- + phēmē speech
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Culture definitions for euphemism
euphemism
[ (yooh-fuh-miz-uhm) ]
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.”
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.