euphemism

[ yoo-fuh-miz-uhm ]

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.”

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

euphemism

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 .”

Derived Forms

• ˌeupheˈmistic, adjective
• ˌeupheˈmistically, adverb

Other Words From

• euphe·mist noun
• euphe·mistic euphe·misti·cal eu·phe·mi·ous [yoo-, fee, -mee-, uh, s], 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of euphemism¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of euphemism¹

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

Example Sentences

In 1924, a local meteorologist published a pamphlet titled “In the Zone of Filtered Sunshine” that touted the city’s “sunbreaks” — a euphemism for incessantly cloudy conditions — that helped keep summers cool and pleasant.

From Washington Post

You proposed to give us “some time,” a “pause” in our sweet courtship of almost two years, but I know well that this is the most common euphemism for not hurting the other person too much when you want to end a love relationship.

From Washington Blade

People refer to its euphemism “accelerator” or “scientific internet surfing tool” otherwise.

From TechCrunch

It’s the height of brand-as-euphemism—less about aspiration than sneaking unglamorous ideas into consumers’ heads with a friendly, accessible gloss.

From Outside Online

The dialogue in Made for Love is great—funny, distinctive and observant about the way tech euphemisms can invade the physical world and change the way we think.

From Time

The euphemism most commonly used by convicts for dying is to “be taken off the count.”

From The Daily Beast

The euphemism of “collateral damage” comes with that package.

From The Daily Beast

Another week, another botched killing under the legal euphemism of capital punishment.

From The Daily Beast

A commonly-used euphemism for this phenomenon is that the technology “is not yet mature.”

From The Daily Beast

Babylon could be a euphemism for Rome or it could just be a metaphor for imagined exile.

From The Daily Beast

As there are many Corsican policemen on the Continent they use this euphemism to designate the ignoble calling they follow.

From Project Gutenberg

He reported having received information that Rosecrans was being reënforced, but in this again he may be suspected of a euphemism.

From Project Gutenberg

For market competition (as already quoted) "is a euphemism for railroad policy."

From Project Gutenberg

She used terms regarding cathedrals and pictures for which boredom is the mildly polite euphemism.

From Project Gutenberg

The suggestion of smallpox appears to be the same euphemism which was resorted to in the cases of other exalted personages.

From Project Gutenberg