euphemism

[ yoo-fuh-miz-uhm ]
See synonyms for euphemism on Thesaurus.com
noun
  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.”

Origin of euphemism

1
First recorded in 1650–60; from Greek euphēmismós “use of words of good omen,” from eu- eu- + phḗm(ē) “speaking, fame” + -ismos -ism

Other words from euphemism

  • eu·phe·mist, noun
  • eu·phe·mis·tic, eu·phe·mis·ti·cal, eu·phe·mi·ous [yoo-fee-mee-uhs], /yuˈfi mi əs/, adjective
  • eu·phe·mis·ti·cal·ly, eu·phe·mi·ous·ly, adverb
  • un·eu·phe·mis·tic, adjective
  • un·eu·phe·mis·ti·cal, adjective
  • un·eu·phe·mis·ti·cal·ly, adverb

Words that may be confused with euphemism

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use euphemism in a sentence

  • This is pretty strong; and "sophistry" and "time-serving" are only euphemisms for lying in preaching and practice.

    Flowers of Freethought | George W. Foote
  • Reference has been made to the euphemisms in use among all peoples to avoid pronouncing the name of the devil.

    British Goblins | Wirt Sikes
  • A bull or boar is not to be mentioned as such in mixed company, but male-brute and male-hog are used as euphemisms.

    Our Southern Highlanders | Horace Kephart
  • O no, Adam; we'd look out all the most graceful euphemisms in the newspapers, and we wouldn't hurt the feelings of a spider.

    The March Family Trilogy, Complete | William Dean Howells
  • Hence we find such expressions as 'to go to lodge with Othin' or 'to go to Valhalla' used as euphemisms for 'to be killed.'

    The Heroic Age | H. Munro Chadwick

British Dictionary definitions for euphemism

euphemism

/ (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

Origin of euphemism

1
C17: from Greek euphēmismos, from eu- + phēmē speech

Derived forms of euphemism

  • euphemistic, adjective
  • euphemistically, adverb

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.”

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.