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

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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

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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 is interesting how this euphemism in particular has gained such widespread use, though of course the practice of wordplay is really anything but new.

From Salon ● May 8, 2026

At 19, I had “top surgery”—a euphemism for an elective double mastectomy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 11, 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

Zhang and another CMC general, Liu Zhenli, are "suspected of serious violations of discipline and the law", the defence ministry said Saturday, using a common euphemism for corruption.

From Barron's ● Jan. 29, 2026

“Entering the water” was thus a euphemism on the order of “passed on to a better place.”

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

Both were usually euphemisms for the same thing: I was dieting, and I had already begun the day’s arithmetic.

From Salon ● Aug. 31, 2026

When the industry euphemisms pile up, so do my doubts.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 23, 2026

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

But Titi Generosa wasn’t inclined toward elegant speech, nor toward euphemisms.

From "When I Was Puerto Rican" by Esmeralda Santiago

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