euphemism

noun

eu·phe·mism ˈyü-fə-ˌmi-zəm How to pronounce euphemism (audio)

: the substitution of an agreeable or inoffensive expression for one that may offend or suggest something unpleasant

also : the expression so substituted

euphemist

ˈyü-fə-mist How to pronounce euphemism (audio)

noun

euphemistic

ˌyü-fə-ˈmi-stik How to pronounce euphemism (audio)

adjective

euphemistically

ˌyü-fə-ˈmi-sti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce euphemism (audio)

adverb

Did you know?

How and Why We Use Euphemisms

Euphemisms can take different forms, but they all involve substituting a word or phrase considered to be less offensive than another. The substituted word might, for example, be viewed as a less coarse choice, as when dang or darn is used instead of damn or damned. Or it might replace a word viewed as insulting to a religious figure, such as the various euphemisms for God (gad, gadzooks, gosh) or Jesus (gee, jeepers, jeez).A euphemism may also consist of an indirect softening phrase that is substituted for the straightforward naming of something unpalatable. Thus, we hear of people being “let go” rather than “fired”; civilians killed in war described as “collateral damage”; or someone who has died having “kicked the bucket,” “passed away, “given up the ghost,” or “joined one’s ancestors.”

Example Sentences

Cougar is the euphemism for a woman who has reached mid-life, who is single, financially secure and on the lookout for relationships with younger men—as in "prey."

Kerry Gold, Vancouver Sun, 17 Feb. 2001 Spin is sometimes dismissed as a simple euphemism for lying. But it's actually something more insidious: indifference to the truth.

Michael Kinsley, Time, 25 Dec. 2000–1 Jan. 2001 "Invigorating" is the euphemism we use most often to describe the chilly waters off the coast, but knowledgeable Maine boaters know where to find the warmer, tidal waters just right for a midsummer dip.

Ken Textor, Down East, August 2001 If you are "let go," "separated," "terminated" or whatever euphemism the company uses for "clean-out-your-desk-and-be-gone," remember that you do have rights.

Elsie Maclay, First for Women, July 1989 using “eliminate” as a euphemism for “kill”

Recent Examples on the Web Industry held a nationwide contest years ago and decided to call it biosolids, a euphemism that beat out black gold, geoslime and humanure.

Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 10 Sep. 2022 But nearly two years later, Wayfair remains a euphemism on far-right message boards.

Jeffrey M. O'brien, Fortune, 2 June 2022 The title referred to a euphemism employed by The New York Times for surviving partners of AIDS victims.

Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 June 2022 And, no, that’s not a euphemism for something else.

Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 2 July 2022 It’s an aging code, and a euphemism, meaningless to those who don’t already get it.

Monica Hesse, Washington Post, 29 June 2022 It’s like watching paint dry or waiting for water to boil. Pick any euphemism for things that take ages to get across the finish line.

Cameron Sperance, BostonGlobe.com, 10 July 2022 That’s almost certainly another euphemism for censorship.

Patrick Frater, Variety, 19 May 2022 The story is patient, which some may find a euphemism for slow.

Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 8 Mar. 2022 See More

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin euphēmismus, borrowed from Greek euphēmismós "substitution of an auspicious word for an inauspicious one," from euphēmízesthai "to use words of good omen" (from eúphēmos "uttering sounds of good omen, fair-sounding, auspicious" + -izesthai, middle voice of -izein -ize) + -ismos -ism; eúphēmos from eu- eu- + -phēmos, nominal derivative, with a suffixal -m-, from the base of phēmí, phánai "to say, speak" — more at ban entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1681, in the meaning defined above

单词	euphemism
释义	euphemism noun eu·phe·mism ˈyü-fə-ˌmi-zəm : the substitution of an agreeable or inoffensive expression for one that may offend or suggest something unpleasant also : the expression so substituted euphemist ˈyü-fə-mist noun euphemistic ˌyü-fə-ˈmi-stik adjective euphemistically ˌyü-fə-ˈmi-sti-k(ə-)lē adverb Did you know? Euphemism comes from Greek eúphēmos, which means "uttering sounds of good omen," "fair-sounding," or "auspicious." The first part of that root is the prefix eu-, meaning "good." The second part is phēmos, a Greek word for "speech." Did you know? How and Why We Use Euphemisms Euphemisms can take different forms, but they all involve substituting a word or phrase considered to be less offensive than another. The substituted word might, for example, be viewed as a less coarse choice, as when dang or darn is used instead of damn or damned. Or it might replace a word viewed as insulting to a religious figure, such as the various euphemisms for God (gad, gadzooks, gosh) or Jesus (gee, jeepers, jeez).A euphemism may also consist of an indirect softening phrase that is substituted for the straightforward naming of something unpalatable. Thus, we hear of people being “let go” rather than “fired”; civilians killed in war described as “collateral damage”; or someone who has died having “kicked the bucket,” “passed away, “given up the ghost,” or “joined one’s ancestors.” Example Sentences Cougar is the euphemism for a woman who has reached mid-life, who is single, financially secure and on the lookout for relationships with younger men—as in "prey." Kerry Gold, Vancouver Sun, 17 Feb. 2001 Spin is sometimes dismissed as a simple euphemism for lying. But it's actually something more insidious: indifference to the truth. Michael Kinsley, Time, 25 Dec. 2000–1 Jan. 2001 "Invigorating" is the euphemism we use most often to describe the chilly waters off the coast, but knowledgeable Maine boaters know where to find the warmer, tidal waters just right for a midsummer dip. Ken Textor, Down East, August 2001 If you are "let go," "separated," "terminated" or whatever euphemism the company uses for "clean-out-your-desk-and-be-gone," remember that you do have rights. Elsie Maclay, First for Women, July 1989 using “eliminate” as a euphemism for “kill” Recent Examples on the Web Industry held a nationwide contest years ago and decided to call it biosolids, a euphemism that beat out black gold, geoslime and humanure. Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 10 Sep. 2022 But nearly two years later, Wayfair remains a euphemism on far-right message boards. Jeffrey M. O'brien, Fortune, 2 June 2022 The title referred to a euphemism employed by The New York Times for surviving partners of AIDS victims. Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 June 2022 And, no, that’s not a euphemism for something else. Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 2 July 2022 It’s an aging code, and a euphemism, meaningless to those who don’t already get it. Monica Hesse, Washington Post, 29 June 2022 It’s like watching paint dry or waiting for water to boil. Pick any euphemism for things that take ages to get across the finish line. Cameron Sperance, BostonGlobe.com, 10 July 2022 That’s almost certainly another euphemism for censorship. Patrick Frater, Variety, 19 May 2022 The story is patient, which some may find a euphemism for slow. Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 8 Mar. 2022 See More Word History Etymology borrowed from Medieval Latin euphēmismus, borrowed from Greek euphēmismós "substitution of an auspicious word for an inauspicious one," from euphēmízesthai "to use words of good omen" (from eúphēmos "uttering sounds of good omen, fair-sounding, auspicious" + -izesthai, middle voice of -izein -ize) + -ismos -ism; eúphēmos from eu- eu- + -phēmos, nominal derivative, with a suffixal -m-, from the base of phēmí, phánai "to say, speak" — more at ban entry 1 First Known Use circa 1681, in the meaning defined above euphemism noun as in metaphor a mild or pleasant word group of words that is used instead of one that is unpleasant or offensive using "eliminate" as a euphemism for "kill" She spoke in euphemisms when recounting the expletive-laden tirade. Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance metaphor phrase term idiom colloquialism neologism expression circumlocution cliché analogy simile code word cliche archaism locution modernism slogan genteelism nice-nellyism provincialism motto shibboleth byword watchword cry Antonyms & Near Antonyms dysphemism
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