euphemism
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.”
Origin of euphemism
1Other 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
- euphemism , euphuism
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
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 | THE DAILY BEAST“ADD [Attention Deficit Disorder] is just a euphemistic way of saying, ‘I have limits,’” Brown writes.
Take it from Ben Bernanke, who keeps begging Congress (in that euphemistic Fed-speak way) to do something to help the economy.
Nowhere does this report, even in the most euphemistic terms possible, discuss the rage problem.
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 | VariousIt is said that on this occasion they were first called Eumenides (“the kindly”), a euphemistic variant of their real name.
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 MerwinThey 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
/ (ˈjuːfɪˌmɪzəm) /
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
Origin of euphemism
1Derived 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
[ (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.
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