Definitions for Euphemism
ˈyu fəˌmɪz əmeu·phemism

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:5.0 / 3 votes

1. euphemismnoun

   an inoffensive or indirect expression that is substituted for one that is considered offensive or too harsh

WiktionaryRate this definition:4.0 / 1 vote

1. euphemismnoun

   The use of a word or phrase to replace another with one that is considered less offensive or less vulgar than the word or phrase it replaces.

2. euphemismnoun

   A word or phrase that is used to replace another in this way.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. euphemism

   A euphemism is a polite or gentle phrase used to replace another term or expression that could be considered too direct, harsh, unpleasant, or offensive. Often used to discuss sensitive topics, it helps to convey potentially harsh realities in a more delicate way.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Euphemismnoun

   a figure in which a harts or indelicate word or expression is softened; a way of describing an offensive thing by an inoffensive expression; a mild name for something disagreeable

2. Etymology: [Gr. fr. to use word of a good omen; e'y^ well + to speak: cf. F. euphmisme. See Fame.]

WikidataRate this definition:3.5 / 2 votes

1. Euphemism

   A euphemism is a generally innocuous word or expression used in place of one that may be found offensive or suggest something unpleasant. Some euphemisms are intended to amuse, while others use bland, inoffensive, and often misleading terms for things the user wishes to dissimulate or downplay. Euphemisms are used for dissimulation, to refer to taboo topics in a polite way, and to mask profanity. The opposite of euphemism roughly equates to dysphemism. Euphemisms may be used to avoid words considered rude, while conveying their meaning: "Kiss my you-know-what!" instead of the more vulgar, "Kiss my ass/arse"; the expletive sugar to substitute shit. Some euphemisms are so commonly used as to be standard usage: "pass away" for "die". Over the centuries euphemisms have been introduced for "latrine", and themselves replaced as they came to be considered unacceptable; "toilet", once itself a euphemism, is often euphemised as "bathroom", "restroom", etc. Euphemisms are used to downplay and conceal unpalatable facts, as "collateral damage" for "civilian casualties" in a military context, and "redacted" for "censored".

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Euphemism

   ū′fem-izm, n. a figure of rhetoric by which an unpleasant or offensive thing is designated by an indirect and milder term.—v.t. or v.i. Eu′phemise, to express by a euphemism: to use euphemistic terms.—adj. Euphemist′ic.—adv. Euphemist′ically. [Gr. euphēmismos—euphēmos—eu, well, phēmē—phanaí, to speak.]

The Nuttall EncyclopediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Euphemism

   is in speech or writing the avoiding of an unpleasant or indelicate word or expression by the use of one which is less direct, and which calls up a less disagreeable image in the mind. Thus for "he died" is substituted "he fell asleep," or "he is gathered to his fathers"; thus the Greeks called the "Furies" the "Eumenides," "the benign goddesses," just as country people used to call elves and fairies "the good folk neighbours."

Suggested ResourcesRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Euphemism

   Euphemism vs. Euphuism -- In this Grammar.com article you will learn the differences between the words Euphemism and Euphuism.

Matched Categories

1. • Expression

How to pronounce Euphemism?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say Euphemism in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of Euphemism in Chaldean Numerology is: 5

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of Euphemism in Pythagorean Numerology is: 1

Examples of Euphemism in a Sentence

1. Dejan Stojanovic:

   Nature is an outcry, unpolished truth; the art—a euphemism—tamed wilderness.

2. Joe Biden:

   Now, that was a euphemism, i thought I was really, really in trouble. My father never once raised his hand to any one of his children — never once — and I thought I was in trouble. He pulled me aside and said, 'Joey, you shouldn't do that, but I'm proud of you, son.'.

3. Keir Giles:

   ' Deportation' is a euphemism. It's been used as a fairly innocuous term for what happened to these people, which was effectively enslavement and starvation. is shipping off the women, the children, the people that you want to remove from societies in order to neutralize them, they are generally met with pretty horrific fates. If they survived at all, they did not return for years or decades.

4. Ronan Farrow:

   They had a euphemism at this company called enhanced severance.

5. Matthew Vadum:

   There are hundreds of sanctuary jurisdictions across the country. Some left-wingers use the dreadful euphemism "civil liberties safe zones" to describe them. The phrase blurs the distinction between citizens and non-citizens by implying illegal aliens somehow possess a civil right to be present in the U.S.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=Euphemism
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Euphemism
3. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
4. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Euphemism
5. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=Euphemism
6. ^ Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
   https://www.gutenberg.org/files/37683/37683-h/37683-h.htm#:~:text=Euphemism
7. ^ The Nuttall Encyclopedia
   https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/12342/pg12342-images.html#Euphemism