euphemism

[ yoo-fuh-miz-uhm ]

/ ˈyu fəˌmɪz əm /

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See synonyms for: euphemism / euphemisms / euphemious / euphemistic on Thesaurus.com

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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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of euphemism

1650–60; <Greek euphēmismós the use of words of good omen, equivalent to eu-eu- + phḗm(ē) speaking, fame + -ismos-ism

OTHER WORDS FROM euphemism

eu·phe·mist, nouneu·phe·mis·tic, eu·phe·mis·ti·cal, eu·phe·mi·ous

[yoo-fee-mee-uhs], /yuˈfi mi əs/, adjectiveeu·phe·mis·ti·cal·ly, eu·phe·mi·ous·ly, adverbun·eu·phe·mis·tic, adjective

un·eu·phe·mis·ti·cal, adjectiveun·eu·phe·mis·ti·cal·ly, adverb

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH euphemism

euphemism , euphuism

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use euphemism in a sentence

This is comedy based on a cold humor, detached, euphemistic, devoid of any generosity.
Houellebecq’s Incendiary Novel Imagines France With a Muslim President|Pierre Assouline|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
“ADD [Attention Deficit Disorder] is just a euphemistic way of saying, ‘I have limits,’” Brown writes.
Can Self-Help Books Really Make a New You?|Lizzie Crocker|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Take it from Ben Bernanke, who keeps begging Congress (in that euphemistic Fed-speak way) to do something to help the economy.
It’s Your Moment, Obama. Don’t Blow It.|Michael Tomasky|July 29, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Nowhere does this report, even in the most euphemistic terms possible, discuss the rage problem.
The GOP’s Inept Autopsy|Michael Tomasky|March 18, 2013|DAILY BEAST

We may note here the euphemistic tendency to call powerful spirits by propitiatory names.
The Sources and Analogues of 'A Midsummer-night's Dream'|Compiled by Frank Sidgwick
But this is the usual attitude of the folk towards the "Good People," as indeed their euphemistic name really implies.
More English Fairy Tales|Various
It is said that on this occasion they were first called Eumenides (“the kindly”), a euphemistic variant of their real name.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 7|Various
The Pioneer was as euphemistic in speaking of death as was the Greek or Roman of classic times.
The Life of Bret Harte|Henry Childs Merwin
They trace their origin to the same source whence come the notions of propitiating the fairies by euphemistic names.
British Goblins|Wirt Sikes

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 of euphemism

euphemistic, adjectiveeuphemistically, adverb

Word 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

Cultural 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.”

euphemism

Origin of euphemism

OTHER WORDS FROM euphemism

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH euphemism

Words related to euphemism

How to use euphemism in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for euphemism

Derived forms of euphemism

Word Origin for euphemism

Cultural definitions for euphemism