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Euphemism - Examples and Definition of Euphemism

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Literary DevicesDefinition and Examples of Literary TermsMain menuSkip to contentFull List of Literary DevicesGrammatical TermsPoem AnalysisBook Literary AnalysisPhrase AnalysisWhat are Literary DevicesLiterary ResourcesCitationEuphemismDefinition of EuphemismEuphemism is a figure of speech commonly used to replace a word or phrase that is related to a concept that might make others uncomfortable. Euphemism refers to figurative language designed to replace phrasing that would otherwise be considered harsh, impolite, or unpleasant. This literary device allows for someone to say what they mean indirectly, without using literal language, as a way of softening the impact of what is being said. The reason for this would be for the sake of politeness, discretion, and other means of mitigating communication. Euphemisms are used for certain abstractions such as death, sex, aging, getting fired, bodily functions, and others.For example, in Disney’s The Emperor’s New Groove, the character Kuzco has decided to fire his advisor Yzma. Kuzco begins by stating directly that she is fired, without using a euphemism. However, when Yzma questions his statement, he replies with a string of euphemisms for someone losing their job:Um, how else can I say it? You’re being let go. Your department’s being downsized. You’re part of an outplacement program. We’re going in a different direction. We’re not picking up your option. Take your pick. I got more.This is a humorous and ironic twist on the use of euphemism in that the character uses so many to reinforce what he has already said directly.Common Examples of EuphemismThere are many common examples of euphemism used in everyday conversation and writing. Here are some well-known uses of this figure of speech:porcelain throne (toilet)friends with benefits (friends having sex)pre-owned (something used)bun in the oven (pregnancy)number one (urination)number two (defecation)roll in the hay (have sex)see a man about a horse (go to the bathroom)senior (old)gentlemen’s club (strip club)economically challenged (poor)put to sleep (euthanize)between jobs (unemployed)upchuck (vomit)big-boned (overweight)blowing smoke (lying)split (divorce)enhanced interrogation (torture)well-off (rich)belch (burp)adult entertainment (pornography)correctional facility (prison)go around the bend (to go insane)thin on top (bald)had one too many (drunk)Examples of Euphemism for DeathA very bitter phenomenon of life, death has been glossed over with several words so that its harshness and bitterness could lessen. Using euphemism to express death and dying may be a way to avoid confronting mortality or to gain some emotional distance from a sad circumstance. Here are some examples of euphemism used to express death or dying:Passed awayBought The FarmKicked the bucketDepartedLostGonePushing up daisiesResting in peaceMet untimely demiseMeet the makerGoing to a better placeSix feet underSleeping with the fishesEternal slumberOver the rainbow bridge (for pets and animals)DemiseEternal restDeparture to heavenly abodeMartyredGoneSlipped awayHave leftBreathing one’s lastGone to meet his LordHas gone to meet his MakerGod has called himEuphemism For FatThere are several euphemistic expressions used for fat persons. Some of them have been used in the sentences below.He is selling plus-sized undergarments.They are looking at real women having curves.She is just big-boned and nothing else.There is nothing wrong with him. He is just shorter than his weight.All of his friends are chubby fellows.She has become a bit plump after two years.Although she tries, she is not a model material.Why are you looking lean challenged?Euphemisms for PropagandaPropaganda is often glossed over with general euphemistic terms. For example, Americans often call their missions in foreign countries peacekeeping missions, while the civilians killed during skirmishes are collateral damage. Similarly, several other such terms are used to lessen the harshness of the situation such as neutralizing militants instead of killing freedom fighters’ grave mistakes instead of mistaken deadly attacks, intense competition instead of rivalry, and contain instead of threatening. Some euphemisms are specifically coined for propaganda to spread a certain perspective such as during the war times. Some of them are given below.The pilot has dropped bombs, causing collateral damage.The soldiers have neutralized the ultras.Most of the players are charging the opposite goalpost.They are in his good books these days.Euphemism for AttractionSome euphemisms are specifically used for attractive persons. Some of them are used in the sentences below.She is full of charm even though in rags.They are completely bewitched by her aura.The beguilement of guests lies in her beauty.The leader has such charisma that the audience were mesmerized.He is revealing some sort of magnetism.Some other such words are sexiness, personal appeal, and charm.Euphemism for Physically ChallengedChallengedHandicappedDifferently-abledDisabledDisabilitySpecial peopleDifferently-abled personOut of commissionDisarmedInfirmInvalidOut of one’s feetDog tired.Euphemism in MacbethSome of the best euphemisms given in Macbeth are as follows.No more that Thane of Cawdor shall deceive Our bosom interest. (Act-I, Scene-III)Stay, you imperfect speakers. (Act I, Scene-III)His wonders and his praises do contend Which should be thine or his. (Act-I, Scene-III)According to the gift which bounteous nature Hath in him closed. (Act-III, Scene-III.)These are some euphemisms such as “out bosom interest”, “imperfect speakers”, “wonders and praises” and “bounteous nature.”Euphemism For StubbornHell-bentInexorablePersistentResolvedSetSingle-mindedTenaciousUnflinchingDeterminedNote: However, some could have negative connotations, depending on the usage and context.Famous Examples of EuphemismEuphemism is also found in many famous examples of movie and television quotes, drama, speeches, lyrics, and prose. Here are some famous examples of euphemism and to what they refer:“Perhaps we have been guilty of some terminological inexactitudes.” (Winston Churchill, not telling the exact truth)“The question is…are you still master of your domain?” (Seinfeld episode about masturbation)“I brought juice boxes!” (Will and Grace episode, boxes of wine)“Oh, fudge. Only I didn’t say fudge.” (A Christmas Story, profane word)“The love shack is a little old place where we can get together.” (Love Shack, B52s, rendezvous place)“Gimme some sugar.” (Evil Dead, kiss)“Oh no, she’s all there. Too much there is the problem.” (Driving Miss Daisy, an older woman’s mental fitness)“I slipped my moorings.” (David Petraeus, extramarital affair)“Another bride, another June / Another sunny honeymoon / Another season, another reason /  For makin’ whoopee” (Makin’ Whoopee, Ella Fitzgerald, having sex)“At least I’m housebroken.” (The Big Lebowski, uses the bathroom properly)Difference Between Euphemism and Political CorrectnessSome people may have trouble distinguishing euphemism from political correctness. However, there are distinct differences between the two. For example, whereas people used to use the phrase “disabled person,” it is now considered politically correct to say “person with disabilities.” This change in phrasing is not meant to be euphemistic or an indirect way of expressing something unpleasant or undesirable. Instead, politically correct phrasing is meant to express something in a more direct and respectful way.Political correctness differs from euphemism in that it is not a figure of speech and does not utilize figurative language. In fact, political correctness is considered avoidance, almost to an extreme, of expressions or actions that people perceive as exclusive, marginal, or insulting to others who face discrimination or disadvantage of some kind. Therefore, the purpose of politically correct phrasing is not to replace words with others that are less offensive or inflammatory. Instead, the goal of political correctness is to avoid such indirect expression altogether.Writing EuphemismEuphemism is a useful literary device for writers. This figure of speech allows a writer to address potentially sensitive, offensive, or unpleasant subjects in a more delicate or less damaging manner than literal words or phrasings would be. In addition, euphemisms can add to the poetic nature of writing as a means of describing something in a more figurative manner. They can also elevate a writer’s prose.It’s important for writers to understand that overuse of euphemisms can be confusing and lose their meaning for readers. In addition, depending on the tone of a written work, euphemisms can actually be more crass, unpleasant, or offensive than direct and literal wording. Therefore, euphemisms should be carefully and appropriately selected by writers in order to be effective. Here are some benefits of incorporating euphemism into writing:Communicate Meaning for Painful SubjectsWriters often tackle subjects that can be painful, such as death or heartbreak. Euphemism is an excellent literary device for writers, and poets, in particular, to communicate meaning when it comes to these painful subjects. Figurative language through euphemism can allow readers to feel less confronted as they might by harsh, literal wording. As a result, meaning is enhanced through the figure of speech.Incorporate Humor for ReaderEuphemism is often inherently humorous. In attempting to replace wording or phrasing that is impolite or offensive, euphemisms can range from being unclear to nonsensical. They have no meaning as stand-alone phrases without the context of the literal abstraction. However, euphemisms can be a way for writers to incorporate the ridiculous in their writing as humor for the reader.Use of Euphemism in Sentences Our beloved teacher, Joseph has left us for his heavenly abode today morning.Several rebels were wiped out in the forces’ action in self-defense.More than two ultras were neutralized.Two air force fighters were involved in surgical strikes.His father passed away yesterday.Examples of Euphemism in LiteratureEuphemism is an effective literary device. Here are some examples of euphemism and how it adds to the significance of well-known literary works:Example 1: The Wife of Bath’s Prologue from The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey ChaucerIn wyfhod I wol use myn instrument (In wifehood I will use my instrument)As frely as my Makere hath it sent. (As freely as my Maker has it sent.)In this section of The Canterbury Tales, the Wife of Bath uses a euphemism to refer to her sexuality as a woman. The Wife says she will use her “instrument” in wifehood, which is figurative language for her lust, physical attributes and nature, and sexual power. Chaucer’s utilization of this euphemism makes the situation less shocking due to the fact that women were meant to be pure and chaste–especially in wifehood.Ironically, even though Chaucer uses euphemism as a literary device to avoid the Wife directly describing her “instrument” of sexual power, he invokes a sense of the divine associated with this socially impolite and scandalous assertion of female sexuality. In the second line, the Wife indicates that her “Maker,” meaning Creator, has sent this “instrument” freely. This line underscores the seemingly useless purpose of euphemism in describing something natural. In addition, it underscores the idea that a creator would not freely give someone, including a woman, an attribute that isn’t intended for use.Example 2: The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger‘What’d you do?’ I said. ‘Give her the time in Ed Banky’s goddam car?’In this quote from Salinger’s novel, the main character Holden Caulfield is questioning one of his fellow students, Stradlater, about his date with a girl named Jane. Holden essentially grew up with Jane, and he knows that Stradlater is something of a sexual predator when it comes to girls. However, Holden can’t bring himself to directly ask Stradlater what happened on their date, and especially whether Stradlater and Jane had sex.Therefore, Holden uses the euphemism “give her the time” to indirectly indicate what he wants to know. In addition, this euphemism is helpful as a literary device for the reader who wants to know the same information as Holden. By utilizing a euphemism rather than asking outright about the sexual encounter, both Holden and the reader can hope that Stradlater will provide an answer.Example 3: Afterwards by Thomas HardyIf I pass during some nocturnal blackness, mothy and warm,When the hedgehog travels furtively over the lawn,One may say, “He strove that such innocent creatures should come to no harm,But he could do little for them; and now he is gone.”In his poem, Hardy uses two euphemisms to reference death. The poet refers to his own death by stating “If I pass” and then refers to how others might reference his death with the phrase “‘now he is gone.'” These euphemisms add to the poetic value of this stanza. For example, utilizing the word “pass” as a figure of speech rather than the literal term “die,” underscores the feeling in the poem of the passage of time in addition to the passage of the poet.The use of “gone” as a euphemistic figure of speech reinforces the permanence of death as a lack of physical presence. However, this figurative language also suggests that though the poet is physically “gone,” he is still remembered by others. As a result, the poet lives on in the memory of others in the poem and is immortalized by the poem itself.Synonyms of EuphemismThere are a few synonyms of euphemism but not all words express the same meanings such as polite term, mild term, indirect term, understatement, underplaying, politeness, genteelism, or coy term. None of them, however, is the exact substitute for euphemism.Related posts:10 Best Euphemism Examples in Literature10 Best Euphemism Examples in MoviesPost navigation← Figure of SpeechAllegory →Search for:

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Euphemism - Wikipedia

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1Etymology

2Purpose

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2.1Avoidance

2.2Mitigation

2.3Rhetoric

3Controversial use

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3.1Online

4Formation methods

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4.1Pronunciation (phonetic modification)

4.2Understatement

4.3Substitution

4.4Metaphor

4.5Slang

4.6Foreign words

4.7Periphrasis/circumlocution

5Doublespeak

6Lifespan

7See also

8References

9Further reading

10External links

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Euphemism

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Innocuous word or expression used in place of one that may be found offensive

This article possibly contains original research. Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding inline citations. Statements consisting only of original research should be removed. (August 2021) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

Sign in a Rite Aid drugstore using common euphemisms for (from top) contraceptives; vaginal douches; menstrual pads and tampons; and adult diapers, respectively

A euphemism (/ˈjuːfəmɪzəm/ YOO-fə-miz-əm) is an innocuous word or expression used in place of one that is deemed offensive or suggests something unpleasant.[1] Some euphemisms are intended to amuse, while others use bland, inoffensive terms for concepts that the user wishes to downplay. Euphemisms may be used to mask profanity or refer to topics some consider taboo such as disability, sex, excretion, or death in a polite way.[2]

Etymology[edit]

Euphemism comes from the Greek word euphemia (εὐφημία) which refers to the use of 'words of good omen'; it is a compound of eû (εὖ), meaning 'good, well', and phḗmē (φήμη), meaning 'prophetic speech; rumour, talk'.[3] Eupheme is a reference to the female Greek spirit of words of praise and positivity, etc. The term euphemism itself was used as a euphemism by the ancient Greeks; with the meaning "to keep a holy silence" (speaking well by not speaking at all).[4]

Purpose[edit]

Avoidance[edit]

Reasons for using euphemisms vary by context and intent. Commonly, euphemisms are used to avoid directly addressing subjects that might be deemed negative or embarrassing, e.g., death, sex, excretory bodily functions. They may be created for innocent, well-intentioned purposes or nefariously and cynically, intentionally to deceive and confuse. Euphemisms which emerge as dominant social euphemisms are often created to serve progressive causes.[5][6]

Mitigation[edit]

Euphemisms are also used to mitigate, soften or downplay the gravity of large-scale injustices, war crimes, or other events that warrant a pattern of avoidance in official statements or documents. For instance, one reason for the comparative scarcity of written evidence documenting the exterminations at Auschwitz, relative to their sheer number, is "directives for the extermination process obscured in bureaucratic euphemisms".[7] Another example of this is during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, where Russian President Vladimir Putin, in his speech starting the invasion, called the invasion a "special military operation".[8]

Euphemisms are sometimes used to lessen the opposition to a political move. For example, according to linguist Ghil'ad Zuckermann, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used the neutral Hebrew lexical item פעימות peimót (literally 'beatings (of the heart)'), rather than נסיגה nesigá ('withdrawal'), to refer to the stages in the Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank (see Wye River Memorandum), in order to lessen the opposition of right-wing Israelis to such a move.[9] Peimót was thus used as a euphemism for 'withdrawal'.[9]: 181 

Rhetoric[edit]

Euphemism may be used as a rhetorical strategy, in which case its goal is to change the valence of a description.[clarification needed]

Controversial use[edit]

The act of labeling a term as a euphemism can in itself be controversial, as in the following examples:

Reproductive health is used as a euphemism for the medical procedure of abortion, often employed for political reasons.[10] Many pro-abortion institutions now advocate using the term "abortion" instead of relying on euphemisms in order to earn greater social acceptance of the procedure.[11]

Affirmative action, meaning a preference for minorities or the historically disadvantaged, usually in employment or academic admissions. This term is sometimes said to be a euphemism for reverse discrimination, or, in the UK, positive discrimination, which suggests an intentional bias that might be legally prohibited, or otherwise unpalatable.[12]

Enhanced interrogation is a euphemism for torture. For example, columnist David Brooks called the use of this term for practices at Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo Bay and elsewhere an effort to "dull the moral sensibility".[13]

Online[edit]

The use of euphemism online is known as "algospeak" and is used to evade automated online moderation techniques used on Meta and TikTok's platforms.[14][15][16][17][18] Algospeak has been used in debate about the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.[19][20]

Formation methods[edit]

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: "euphemism" phonetic deformation – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (December 2021) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

Pronunciation (phonetic modification)[edit]

Phonetic euphemism is used to replace profanities and blasphemies, diminishing their intensity. To alter the pronunciation or spelling of a taboo word (such as a swear word) to form a euphemism is known as taboo deformation, or a minced oath. Such modifications include:

Shortening or "clipping" the term, such as Jeez ('Jesus') and what the— ('what the hell').

Mispronunciations, such as oh my gosh ('oh my God'), frickin ('fucking'), darn ('damn') or oh shoot ('oh shit'). This is also referred to as a minced oath. Feck is a minced oath for 'fuck', originating in Hiberno-English and popularised outside of Ireland by the British sitcom Father Ted.

Using acronyms as replacements, such as SOB ('son of a bitch'). Sometimes, the word word or bomb is added after it, such as F-word ('fuck'), etc. Also, the letter can be phonetically respelled.

Understatement[edit]

Euphemisms formed from understatements include asleep for dead and drinking for consuming alcohol. "Tired and emotional" is a notorious British euphemism for "drunk", one of many recurring jokes popularized by the satirical magazine Private Eye; it has been used by MPs to avoid unparliamentary language.

Substitution[edit]

Pleasant, positive, worthy, neutral, or nondescript terms are often substituted for explicit or unpleasant ones, with many substituted terms deliberately coined by sociopolitical movements, marketing, public relations, or advertising initiatives, including:

meat packing company for 'slaughterhouse' (avoids entirely the subject of killing); natural issue or love child for 'bastard'; let go for 'fired/sacked', etc.

Some examples of Cockney rhyming slang may serve the same purpose: to call a person a berk sounds less offensive than to call a person a cunt, though berk is short for Berkeley Hunt,[21] which rhymes with cunt.[22]

Metaphor[edit]

Metaphors (beat the meat, choke the chicken, or jerkin' the gherkin for 'masturbation'; take a dump and take a leak for 'defecation' and 'urination', respectively)

Comparisons (buns for 'buttocks', weed for 'cannabis')

Metonymy (men's room for 'men's restroom/toilet')

Slang[edit]

See also: Slang

The use of a term with a softer connotation, though it shares the same meaning. For instance, screwed up is a euphemism for 'fucked up'; hook-up and laid are euphemisms for 'sexual intercourse'.

Foreign words[edit]

Expressions or words from a foreign language may be imported for use as euphemism. For example, the French word enceinte was sometimes used instead of the English word pregnant;[23] abattoir for slaughterhouse, although in French the word retains its explicit violent meaning 'a place for beating down', conveniently lost on non-French speakers. Entrepreneur for businessman, adds glamour; douche (French for 'shower') for vaginal irrigation device; bidet ('little pony') for vessel for anal washing. Ironically, although in English physical "handicaps" are almost always described with euphemism, in French the English word handicap is used as a euphemism for their problematic words infirmité or invalidité.[citation needed]

Periphrasis/circumlocution[edit]

Periphrasis, or circumlocution, is one of the most common: to "speak around" a given word, implying it without saying it. Over time, circumlocutions become recognized as established euphemisms for particular words or ideas.

Doublespeak[edit]

Main article: Doublespeak

Bureaucracies frequently spawn euphemisms intentionally, as doublespeak expressions. For example, in the past, the US military used the term "sunshine units" for contamination by radioactive isotopes.[24] The United States Central Intelligence Agency refers to systematic torture as "enhanced interrogation techniques".[25] An effective death sentence in the Soviet Union during the Great Purge often used the clause "imprisonment without right to correspondence": the person sentenced would be shot soon after conviction.[26] As early as 1939, Nazi official Reinhard Heydrich used the term Sonderbehandlung ("special treatment") to mean summary execution of persons viewed as "disciplinary problems" by the Nazis even before commencing the systematic extermination of the Jews. Heinrich Himmler, aware that the word had come to be known to mean murder, replaced that euphemism with one in which Jews would be "guided" (to their deaths) through the slave-labor and extermination camps[27] after having been "evacuated" to their doom. Such was part of the formulation of Endlösung der Judenfrage (the "Final Solution to the Jewish Question"), which became known to the outside world during the Nuremberg Trials.[28]

Lifespan [edit]

Negro is an example of a once-innocuous euphemism that has become outdated and offensive.

Frequently, over time, euphemisms themselves become taboo words, through the linguistic process of semantic change known as pejoration, which University of Oregon linguist Sharon Henderson Taylor dubbed the "euphemism cycle" in 1974,[29] also frequently referred to as the "euphemism treadmill". For instance, the place of human defecation is a needy candidate for a euphemism in all eras. Toilet is an 18th-century euphemism, replacing the older euphemism house-of-office, which in turn replaced the even older euphemisms privy-house and bog-house.[30] In the 20th century, where the old euphemisms lavatory (a place where one washes) and toilet (a place where one dresses[31]) had grown from widespread usage (e.g., in the United States) to being synonymous with the crude act they sought to deflect, they were sometimes replaced with bathroom (a place where one bathes), washroom (a place where one washes), or restroom (a place where one rests) or even by the extreme form powder room (a place where one applies facial cosmetics).[citation needed] The form water closet, often shortened to W.C., is a less deflective form.[citation needed] The word shit appears to have originally been a euphemism for defecation in Pre-Germanic, as the Proto-Indo-European root *sḱeyd-, from which it was derived, meant 'to cut off'.[32]

Another example in American English is the replacement of "colored people" with "Negro" (euphemism by foreign language), which itself came to be replaced by either "African American" or "Black".[33] Also in the United States the term "ethnic minorities" in the 2010s has been replaced by "people of color".[33]

Venereal disease, which associated shameful bacterial infection with a seemingly worthy ailment emanating from Venus, the goddess of love, soon lost its deflective force in the post-classical education era, as "VD", which was replaced by the three-letter initialism "STD" (sexually transmitted disease); later, "STD" was replaced by "STI" (sexually transmitted infection).[34]

Intellectually-disabled people were originally defined with words such as "morons" or "imbeciles", which then became commonly used insults. The medical diagnosis was changed to "mentally retarded", which morphed into a pejorative against those with intellectual disabilities. To avoid the negative connotations of their diagnoses, students who need accommodations because of such conditions are often labeled as "special needs" instead, although the words "special" or "sped" (short for "special education") have long been schoolyard insults.[35][better source needed] As of August 2013, the Social Security Administration replaced the term "mental retardation" with "intellectual disability".[36] Since 2012, that change in terminology has been adopted by the National Institutes of Health and the medical industry at large.[37] There are numerous disability-related euphemisms that have negative connotations.

See also[edit]

Call a spade a spade

Code word (figure of speech)

Dead Parrot sketch

Distinction without a difference

Dog whistle (politics)

Double entendre

Dysphemism

Emotive conjugation

Expurgation (often called bowdlerization, after Thomas Bowdler)

Framing (social sciences)

Minced oath

Minimisation

Persuasive definition

Polite fiction

Political correctness

Political euphemism

Puns

Sexual slang

Spin (propaganda)

Statistext

Word play

Word taboo

References[edit]

^ "Euphemism". Webster's Online Dictionary. Archived from the original on 28 July 2007. Retrieved 16 March 2014.

^ "euphemism (n.)". Etymonline.com. Archived from the original on 7 January 2014. Retrieved 7 January 2014.

^ "Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon, φήμη". www.perseus.tufts.edu. Retrieved 27 May 2023.

^ "'Euphemism' Etymology". Online Etymology Dictionary. Archived from the original on 20 March 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2015.

^ "How strategic lingo swallowed progressive thought". Washington Examiner. 19 May 2023.

^ "THE MORAL CASE AGAINST EQUITY LANGUAGE". The Atlantic. 2 March 2023.

^ Ryback, Timothy (15 November 1993). "Evidence of Evil". The New Yorker. Archived from the original on 18 June 2018. Retrieved 1 December 2015.

^ "Year in a word: 'Special operation'". Financial Times. 29 December 2022.

^ a b Language Contact and Lexical Enrichment in Israeli Hebrew. p. 181.

^ "The Euphemism Imperative". Politico. 2 May 2013.

^ "Just Say Abortion". Planned Parenthood. 14 June 2021.

^ Affirmative action as euphemism:

"Style Guide". The Economist. 10 March 2013. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014. Retrieved 10 March 2013. Uglier even than human-rights abuses and more obscure even than comfort station, affirmative action is a euphemism with little to be said for it.

Custred, Glynn & Campbell, Tom (2 May 2001). "Affirmative Action: A Euphemism for Racial Profiling by Government". Investors Business Daily. Retrieved 10 March 2013.

Bayan, Rick (December 2009). "Affirmative Action". The New Moderate. Archived from the original on 6 March 2013. Retrieved 10 March 2013.

Will, George F. (25 April 2014). "The Supreme Court tangles over euphemisms for affirmative action". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 26 May 2015. Retrieved 26 May 2015.

Raza, M. Ali; Janell Anderson, A.; Custred, Harry Glynn (1999). "Chapter 4: Affirmative Action Diversity: A Euphemism for Preferences, Quotas, and Set-asides". The Ups and Downs of Affirmative Action Preferences. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 75. ISBN 9780275967130. Archived from the original on 25 April 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2015.

A Journalist's Guide to Live Direct and Unbiased News Translation. Writescope Publishers. 2010. p. 195. ISBN 9780957751187. Archived from the original on 3 May 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2015. In modern times, various social and political movements have introduced euphemisms, from affirmative action to political correctness to international conflicts, which are linguistically and culturally driven.

^ Enhanced interrogation as euphemism:

Brooks, David (12 December 2014). "Shields and Brooks on the CIA interrogation report, spending bill sticking point". PBS Newshour. Archived from the original on 16 September 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2014. [T]he report ... cuts through the ocean of euphemism, the EITs, enhanced interrogation techniques, and all that. It gets to straight language. Torture – it's obviously torture. ... the metaphor and the euphemism is designed to dull the moral sensibility.

"Transcript of interview with CIA director Panetta". NBC News. 3 May 2011. Archived from the original on 15 April 2022. Retrieved 21 August 2011. Enhanced interrogation has always been a kind of handy euphemism (for torture)

Pickering, Thomas (April 2013). "America Must Atone for the Torture It Inflicted". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 19 April 2013. Retrieved 22 April 2013.

^ Lorenz, Taylor (8 April 2022). "Internet 'algospeak' is changing our language in real time, from 'nip nops' to 'le dollar bean'". The Washington Post. Retrieved 26 October 2023.

^ "What is 'algospeak'? Inside the newest version of linguistic subterfuge". 13 April 2023.

^ "'Mascara,' 'Unalive,' 'Corn': What Common Social Media Algospeak Words Actually Mean". Forbes.

^ "From Camping to Cheese Pizza, 'Algospeak' is Taking over Social Media". Forbes.

^ Klug, Daniel; Steen, Ella; Yurechko, Kathryn (2023). "How Algorithm Awareness Impacts Algospeak Use on TikTok". Companion Proceedings of the ACM Web Conference 2023. pp. 234–237. doi:10.1145/3543873.3587355. ISBN 9781450394192. S2CID 258377709.

^ Nix, Naomi (20 October 2023). "Pro-Palestinian creators use secret spellings, code words to evade social media algorithms". The Washington Post. Retrieved 26 October 2023.

^ "How pro-Palestinians are using 'Algospeak' to dodge social media scrutiny and disseminate hateful rhetoric". Fox News. 23 October 2023.

^ although properly pronounced in upper-class British-English "barkley"

^ "definition of 'berk'/'burk'". Collins Dictionary. Archived from the original on 27 July 2014. Retrieved 22 July 2014.

^ "Definition of enceinte". Merriam-Webster. Archived from the original on 13 June 2017. Retrieved 20 May 2017.

^ McCool, W.C. (6 February 1957). Return of Rongelapese to their Home Island – Note by the Secretary (PDF) (Report). United States Atomic Energy Commission. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 September 2007. Retrieved 7 November 2007.

^ McCoy, Alfred W. (2006). A Question of Torture: CIA Interrogation, from the Cold War to the War on Terror. New York: Metropolitan / Owl Book / Henry Holt and Co. ISBN 9780805082487 – via Internet Archive.

^ Solzhenitsyn, Alexander (1974). The Gulag Archipelago. Vol. I. New York: Harper Perennial. p. 6. ISBN 006092103X.

^ "Holocaust-history.org". Holocaust-History.org. Archived from the original on 28 May 2013. Retrieved 20 May 2017.

^ "Wannsee Conference and the 'Final Solution'". Archived from the original on 10 July 2018. Retrieved 5 June 2015.

^ Henderson Taylor, Sharon (1974). "Terms for Low Intelligence". American Speech. 49 (3/4): 197–207. doi:10.2307/3087798. JSTOR 3087798.

^ Bell, Vicars Walker (1953). On Learning the English Tongue. Faber & Faber. p. 19. The Honest Jakes or Privy has graduated via Offices to the final horror of Toilet.

^ French toile, fabric, a form of curtain behind which washing, dressing and hair-dressing were performed (Larousse, Dictionnaire de la langue française, "Lexis", Paris, 1979, p. 1891)

^ Ringe, Don (2006). From Proto-Indo-European to Proto-Germanic. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780199552290.

^ a b Demby, Gene (7 November 2014). "Why We Have So Many Terms for 'People of Color'". NPR. Archived from the original on 12 December 2019. Retrieved 12 December 2019.

^ "STI vs. STD: Overcoming the Stigma". PowerToDecide.org. Archived from the original on 25 February 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2022.

^ Hodges, Rick (1 July 2020). "The Rise and Fall of 'Mentally Retarded'". Medium. Archived from the original on 7 December 2020. Retrieved 13 February 2021.

^ "Change in Terminology: 'Mental Retardation' to 'Intellectual Disability'". Federal Register. 1 August 2013. Archived from the original on 8 March 2021. Retrieved 10 March 2021.

^ Nash, Chris; Hawkins, Ann; Kawchuk, Janet; Shea, Sarah E. (17 February 2012). "What's in a name? Attitudes surrounding the use of the term 'mental retardation'". Paediatrics & Child Health. 17 (2): 71–74. doi:10.1093/pch/17.2.71. ISSN 1205-7088. PMC 3299349. PMID 23372396.

Further reading[edit]

Allan, Keith; Burridge, Kate (1991). Euphemism & Dysphemism: Language Used as Shield and Weapon. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0735102880.

Benveniste, Émile. "Euphémismes anciens and modernes". Problèmes de linguistique générale (in French). Vol. 1. pp. 308–314. Originally published in: Die Sprache. Vol. I. 1949. pp. 116–122.

"Euphemism" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 9 (11th ed.). 1911.

Enright, D. J. (1986). Fair of Speech. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0192830600.

Fussell, Paul (1983). Class: A Guide Through the American Status System. Touchstone / Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0671792253.

Holder, R. W. (2003). How Not to Say What You Mean: A Dictionary of Euphemisms. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0198607628.

Keyes, Ralph (2010). Euphemania: Our Love Affair with Euphemisms. Little, Brown and Co. ISBN 9780316056564.

Maledicta: The International Journal of Verbal Aggression. ISSN: 0363-3659. LCCN: 77649633. OCLC: 3188018.

McGlone, M. S.; Beck, G.; Pfiester, R. A. (2006). "Contamination and camouflage in euphemisms". Communication Monographs. 73: 261–282.

Rawson, Hugh (1995). A Dictionary of Euphemism & Other Doublespeak (second ed.). Crown Publishers. ISBN 0517702010.

Smyth, Herbert Weir (1920). Greek Grammar. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press. p. 678. ISBN 0674362500.

Heidepeter, Philipp; Reutner, Ursula (2021). "When Humour Questions Taboo: A Typology of Twisted Euphemism Use". Pragmatics & Cognition. 28 (1): 138–166. ISSN 0929-0907.

External links[edit]

The dictionary definition of euphemism at Wiktionary

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euphemism

noun

eu·​phe·​mism

ˈyü-fə-ˌmi-zəm 

Synonyms of euphemism

: 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.”

Examples of euphemism in a Sentence

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

Indeed, people are often hired or promoted to leadership roles because of their social capital (a euphemism for nepotism), Machiavellian tactics of manipulation, narcissism, and confidence rather than competence.

—Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024

Executives are using all kinds of euphemisms to avoid being straightforward with their employees.

—Charlotte Hampton, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2024

As with all euphemisms, the title of Todd Haynes’ new film sounds cute, almost quaint…while hiding a strange darkness underneath.

—EW.com, 17 Nov. 2023

Some clinics have resorted to stashing lubricants out of sight or using euphemisms to refer to them.

—Apoorva Mandavilli Esther Ruth Mbabazi, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2024

Amid the shock over Hamas’ devastating Oct. 7 cross-border assault, Israeli officials have used many different terms and euphemisms for their war aims in Gaza.

—Neri Zilber, The Christian Science Monitor, 17 Oct. 2023

My business with them is to take them out individually on little visits (my euphemism) for two or three weeks to various flocks of ewes.

—The New Yorker, 4 Dec. 2023

Not officially, of course; at this stage, the fact that Hayes will be the next coach of the U.S. women’s team is merely an open secret, a fait accompli that must — for now — remain swaddled by a warm blanket of euphemism.

—Rory Smith, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2023

The various other panelists took refuge in euphemism.

—Joel Khalili, WIRED, 30 Oct. 2023

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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'euphemism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler

The first known use of euphemism was

circa 1681

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“Euphemism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/euphemism. Accessed 12 Mar. 2024.

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Kids Definition

euphemism

noun

eu·​phe·​mism

ˈyü-fə-ˌmiz-əm 

: the substitution of a mild or pleasant expression for one that is too strong or unpleasant

also

: a mild or pleasant expression so substituted

"pass away" is a widely used euphemism for die

euphemistic

ˌyü-fə-ˈmis-tik 

adjective

euphemistically

-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on euphemism

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for euphemism

Nglish: Translation of euphemism for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of euphemism for Arabic Speakers

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8 Mar 2024

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The Literary Definition of Euphemism, With Examples | Grammarly

The Literary Definition of Euphemism, With Examples | Grammarly

Grammarly HomeProductLearnFeaturesProduct DemoTrust & SecurityDownloadDesktopMobileBrowserWorkBy Team SizeEnterpriseTeams & BusinessesIndividualsBy Team FunctionCustomer SupportMarketingITSalesHREducationStudentsInstitutionsPricingResourcesLearnBlogCustomer StoriesBusiness Events & ReportsEducation Events & ReportsSupport CenterToolsAI Writing ToolsGrammar CheckerPlagiarism CheckerParaphrasing ToolContact SalesLog inGet GrammarlyIt's freeGrammarly HomeProductLearnFeaturesProduct DemoTrust & SecurityDownloadDesktopMobileBrowserWorkBy Team SizeEnterpriseTeams & BusinessesIndividualsBy Team FunctionCustomer SupportMarketingITSalesHREducationStudentsInstitutionsPricingResourcesLearnBlogCustomer StoriesBusiness Events & ReportsEducation Events & ReportsSupport CenterToolsAI Writing ToolsGrammar CheckerPlagiarism CheckerParaphrasing ToolGet GrammarlyIt's freeContact SalesLog inGrammarly Blog HomeWritingWriting TipsGrammarStudentsProfessionalsLifestyleProductCompanyGrammarly HomeWritingWriting TipsGrammarStudentsProfessionalsLifestyleProductCompanyGet GrammarlyIt's freeContact SalesLog inThe Literary Definition of Euphemism, With ExamplesParker YamasakiUpdated on August 1, 2022StudentsNot everyone is comfortable with death. As a society we have come up with a variety of ways to talk about death without ever mentioning death. We’ll say that someone passed away, or kicked the bucket, or bought the farm. All of these phrases are euphemisms, expressions that soften an unpleasant situation.

Euphemism (pronounced YOO-fuh-miz-uhm) is derived from the Greek word euphēmismos, which means “sounding good.” Writers use euphemisms to skirt around subjects that sound “bad”—taboo, embarrassing, sensitive topics—and include things like death, sex, money, and politics.

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When to use euphemisms

Euphemisms are not to be interpreted literally. Think about the euphemism kicked the bucket that we mentioned. It’s unlikely that you picture someone swinging their foot at a bucket. Euphemisms rely on common understanding of their figurative meaning, so using euphemisms in writing can show your familiarity with the language. It may be helpful to include euphemisms when writing dialogue or creating fictional correspondences. 

Euphemisms also help writers criticize or satirize a delicate subject, like politics. George Orwell uses euphemisms throughout his dystopian novel 1984 to describe various functions of government. More on that example later. 

If you’re considering using euphemisms in writing, start by asking if the topic could be uncomfortable for someone reading. If so, it might be a good time for a euphemism. However, it’s important to understand the tone that you are creating. Euphemisms tend to create a more casual or conversational tone, and there are instances when this language would be inappropriate.

When not to use euphemisms

Euphemisms are an inherently indirect way of speaking, so they should not be used in a situation where straightforward language is more appropriate. For example, if you want to describe a coworker getting fired without embarrassing them, you might use the euphemism they took an early retirement. Most likely the coworker did not cash out their 401(k) and book it to Florida. The phrase is instead meant to casually convey that they are no longer working with the company. However, if you are the boss of the aforementioned worker, it would be more professional to let them know clearly and unambiguously that they are being fired. In that situation, there is no reason to beat around the bush (itself a euphemism about using euphemisms).

Euphemism versus political correctness

Using euphemism can make a topic more comfortable for everyone involved. Politically correct language is also a way of writing or speaking that maximizes comfort and inclusion. Both are important tools for clear communication across social, religious, cultural, or political groups.

However, euphemism and political correctness are not the same thing. Politically correct language does not use figurative language, which purposely avoids the direct meaning of something. Instead, politically correct language is meant to express something in the most direct and respectful way possible. Euphemism, on the other hand, relies entirely on figurative language; its sole purpose is to allude to something indirectly.

Euphemism structures

Most of the euphemisms that we use today have winding histories that obscure their origin. It takes time for a euphemism to embed into common knowledge, so creating a euphemism from scratch is challenging.

For example, there are a number of origin stories for the euphemism bought the farm, which means that someone has died (often in a plane crash or collision). Some reports suggest the phrase comes from Air Force officers saying that when they retire, they’re going to settle down and buy a farm. Thus, if that officer dies in a crash, it’s said, darkly, that they bought the farm. An alternative story is that when Air Force planes crashed in rural areas, the farmers whose land they hit would sue the government for damages and use that money to pay off their mortgage. That plane crash, then, indirectly bought the farm for the farmer. There are a number of other origins suggested for the phrase, but all of that is to say, euphemisms rely on a common understanding of the phrase itself, not its literal meaning.

Euphemism synonyms

Euphemisms are among many phrases in the English language that rely on local or cultural understanding. Similar figures of speech are slang, colloquialisms, vernacular, and idioms.

Slang is a type of language where a word or phrase has evolved from another word and is understood by certain regional or cultural groups. Words like “hangry” (a portmanteau of hungry + angry) and “bougie” (shortened from bourgeoise) are both slang terms, and they were even added to the dictionary in 2018.

Vernacular is language closely associated with a certain cultural or regional group. An example of vernacular is the word “y’all.”

Colloquialism is the use of conversational language in writing. Including slang, vernacular, and euphemisms in your writing will make it more colloquial, even if the word colloquial is, itself, not very colloquial. 

Idioms are words or phrases that take on a meaning different from their literal translation. Euphemisms are a type of idiom. However, we use idioms in English that are not intended to cover a difficult situation, so not all idioms are euphemisms. An example of an idiom that is not a euphemism is the phrase “at the drop of a hat.” English speakers understand that phrase to mean someone is starting a task immediately, not that they are releasing a hat to gravity. Because it does not have to be related to a sensitive or taboo subject, it is not a euphemism.

Types of euphemisms

The most common types of euphemisms are abstraction, indirection, and litote.

Abstraction creates an entirely new scene to refer to the situation being discussed. For example, an abstract euphemism for death would describe someone as being in a better place.

Indirection creates distance between the speaker and the situation. For example, sleeping together is an indirect euphemism for having sex.

Litotes soften the topic by downplaying it. For example, rather than calling someone filthy rich, you might say that they’re not exactly poor.

Other types of euphemism are mispronunciation (the word “frigging” to stand in for its coarser counterpart) and personification (assigning personal names to uncomfortable subjects, like calling menstruation a visit from Aunt Flo).

Common euphemism examples

The English language is full of euphemisms. We often use them in conversation without giving them a second thought. Even if you are not personally made uncomfortable by a subject, there is a chance you are still using euphemisms around it, simply because they are common to the point of cliché. Topics like death, sex, and money have an abundance of common euphemisms.

Euphemisms for death:

Passed on

Kicked the bucket

Is in a better place

Euphemisms for sex:

Getting lucky

Knocking boots

Making love

Sleeping together

Euphemisms for money and career:

Bringing home the bacon

Letting someone go

In between jobs

Breadwinner

Living comfortably

Euphemism examples in literature

George Orwell’s novel 1984 is rich in euphemisms. In the story, an overseeing entity known only as “the Party” (a euphemism for the government) sets up “Ministries” to control its population. Each Ministry title is a euphemism, obscuring the dangerous subjects that they are responsible for with softer, coded language. For example, the “Ministry of Truth” is in charge of propaganda, and the “Ministry of Peace” is in charge of war. 

In Ernest Hemingway’s short story Hills Like White Elephants, there is a conversation that centers on the subject of abortion.

“It’s really an awfully simple operation, Jig,” the man said. “It’s not really an operation at all.”

The girl looked at the ground the table legs rested on.

“I know you wouldn’t mind it, Jig. It’s really not anything. It’s just to let the air in.”

The story was published in 1927 at a time when abortion was not publicly spoken about. To create a sense of discomfort in the conversation, Hemingway has his character use the word “operation” and the phrase “let the air in” as euphemisms for abortion.

Euphemism FAQs

What is a euphemism?

A euphemism is a word or phrase that softens an uncomfortable topic. It uses figurative language to refer to a situation without having to confront it. For example, if someone was recently fired, they might say they are between jobs, a common euphemism for being unemployed.

How do euphemisms work?

Euphemisms cannot be interpreted literally, so they rely on a common understanding of their meaning. They are a useful way for writers to show comfort with their language, and they can create a more conversational tone in writing.

Are there different kinds of euphemisms?

There are three common types of euphemism: abstractions, indirections, or litotes. Abstraction uses an entirely different scene than the one being talked about. Indirections are ways of creating distance between the situation and the speaker. Litotes use downplaying to soften a situation.

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EUPHEMISM | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

EUPHEMISM | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

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Meaning of euphemism in English

euphemismnoun [ C or U ]

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/ˈjuː.fə.mɪ.zəm/ us

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/ˈjuː.fə.mɪ.zəm/

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a word or phrase used to avoid saying an unpleasant or offensive word: "Senior citizen" is a euphemism for "old person". The article made so much use of euphemism that often its meaning was unclear.

SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases

Digressing and being indirect or evasive

bury the lede idiom

candy coat

candy coating

candy-coated

circumlocution

circumlocutory

glancingly

gloss over something

go off on a tangent idiom

hedging

implicit

implicitly

mealy-mouthed

obscure

parry

prevaricate

stray

tangent

unexpressed

unvoiced

See more results »

You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:

Polite and respectful

Related words

euphemistic adjective

euphemistically adverb

(Definition of euphemism from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

euphemism | American Dictionary

euphemismnoun [ C/U ] us

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/ˈju·fəˌmɪz·əm/

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the use of a word or phrase to avoid saying another word or phrase that may be unpleasant or offensive, or the word or phrase used: [ C ] The phrase “left to pursue other interests” is a euphemism for “fired.”

euphemistic adjective us

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/ˌju·fəˈmɪs·tɪk/

euphemistic words for “dead”

(Definition of euphemism from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

What is the pronunciation of euphemism?

B1

Translations of euphemism

in Chinese (Traditional)

委婉語，委婉說法…

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委婉语，委婉说法…

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örtmece, ayıp/çirkin şeylerin daha uygun/usturuplu şekilde söylenmesi, kibar deyim…

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euphémisme…

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eufemisme…

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eufemismus…

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eufemisme…

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penghalus…

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ศัพท์หรือภาษาที่นุ่มนวล…

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uyển ngữ…

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eufemizm…

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eufemism…

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perkataan berlapik…

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forskjønnende uttrykk, eufemisme…

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euphemism

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Euphemism: Explanation and Examples

Euphemism: Explanation and Examples

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Euphemism

What Is a Euphemism?

A euphemism is an agreeable or inoffensive term used to replace a rude or offensive one.

Euphemisms typically employ wit to lessen the impact of bad news or to make discussions around difficult topics easier. They are often used in politics, business, and uncomfortable discussions (e.g., conversations about death or sex).

Table of Contents

Examples of Euphemisms

Video Lesson

Examples of Common Euphemisms

Why Euphemisms Are Important

Test Time!

Examples of Euphemisms

Euphemisms in Politics

Our active defense will be initiated against the regime.

(Euphemism for "We will attack them.")

A period of negative growth has been forecast.

("A recession is pending.")

The police force is being streamlined.

("We are reducing police numbers.")

As well as employing euphemisms, the three examples above all use the passive voice. This is another technique for avoiding blame or reducing the impact of statements.

Euphemisms in Business

From Monday, John will be seeking a career change opportunity.

("John has been fired.")

John is making a team move from the Sales Department to the Security Section.

("John has been fired from the Sales Department.")

I will enjoy the challenge.

("That is a difficult task!")

Euphemisms in Uncomfortable Discussions

Your budgie has been put to sleep.

("The vet had to kill your budgie.")

Make sure you're hatted up when making love.

("Wear a condom during sex.")

I need to visit the throne room.

("I need the toilet.")

A euphemism is a figure of speech, which means "an expression in which the words are not used in their literal sense." Therefore, euphemisms are classified as figurative language, which is the "use of words in an unusual or imaginative manner."

Video Lesson

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Examples of Common Euphemisms

Here are some examples of common euphemisms:

He has passed away.

(Euphemism for "He has died.")

She is between jobs.

("She is unemployed.")

She has resigned her commission.

("She has been sacked.")

He is a little thin on top.

("He is losing his hair.")

This pre-loved sofa is for sale.

("This second-hand sofa is for sale.")

She is economical with the truth.

("She is a liar.")

Here are some more common euphemisms:

EuphemismMeaning

a few sandwiches short of a picnicmad

cognitively challengedstupid

didn't make ithas died

differently ableddisabled

exotic dancerstripper

kicked the buckethas died

knocked upis pregnant

letting you goyou're fired

lost his marblesmad

over the hilltoo old to function effectively

visually challengedvisually impaired

A euphemism does not have to be common to be useful. It is perfectly allowable to invent your own as long as they are understandable.

Adam, did you recycle Jack's research?

("Did you plagiarize Jack's research?")

There is a technicoloured yawn on path.

("There is a pool of vomit on the path")

Why Euphemisms Are Important

Consider a euphemism to deliver tough news.

While euphemisms can be used for comic effect, they can also be used to soften tough news or uncomfortable ideas. Euphemisms usually undermine the offensiveness of a negative idea (e.g., death, old age, madness) by being polite, witty, or a bit of both.

When talking to a grieving widow, for example, a polite euphemism for dead (e.g., "passed away," "resting in peace") will be more appropriate than a witty one (e.g., "kicked the oxygen habit," "plucking turnips"). You can use well-known euphemisms or even invent your own.

Key Point

If you're concerned your message might offend, start thinking about, or looking up, suitable euphemisms.

This page was written by Craig Shrives.

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EUPHEMISM Definition & Usage Examples | Dictionary.com

EUPHEMISM Definition & Usage Examples | Dictionary.com

GamesDaily CrosswordWord PuzzleWord FinderAll gamesFeaturedWord of the DaySynonym of the DayWord of the YearNew wordsLanguage storiesAll featuredPop cultureSlangEmojiMemesAcronymsGender and sexualityAll pop cultureWriting tipsGrammar Coach™Writing hubGrammar essentialsCommonly confusedAll writing tipsGamesFeaturedPop cultureWriting tipseuphemism[ yoo-fuh-miz-uhm ]show ipaSee synonyms for: euphemismeuphemismseuphemiouseuphemistic on Thesaurus.comnounthe 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 euphemism1First recorded in 1650–60; from Greek euphēmismós “use of words of good omen,” from eu- eu- + phḗm(ē) “speaking, fame” + -ismos -ismOther words from euphemismeu·phe·mist, nouneu·phe·mis·tic, eu·phe·mis·ti·cal, eu·phe·mi·ous [yoo-fee-mee-uhs], /yuˈfi mi əs/, adjectiveeu·phe·mis·ti·cal·ly, eu·phe·mi·ous·ly, adverbun·eu·phe·mis·tic, adjectiveun·eu·phe·mis·ti·cal, adjectiveun·eu·phe·mis·ti·cal·ly, adverbWords that may be confused with euphemismeuphemism , euphuismWords Nearby euphemismeupatoriumeupatridEupen and MalmédyeupepsiaeuphausiideuphemismeuphemizeeuphoniaeuphoniceuphoniouseuphoniumDictionary.com Unabridged

Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024How to use euphemism in a sentenceIn 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.In America’s least air-conditioned cities, brutal heat changes some people’s minds | Marc Fisher, Carissa Wolf, Michael Hingston | July 22, 2021 | Washington PostYou 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.Locked up in the Land of Liberty: Part II | Michael K. Lavers | July 14, 2021 | Washington BladePeople refer to its euphemism “accelerator” or “scientific internet surfing tool” otherwise.Tencent helps Chinese students skip prohibitively low speeds for school websites overseas | Rita Liao | May 31, 2021 | TechCrunchIt’s the height of brand-as-euphemism—less about aspiration than sneaking unglamorous ideas into consumers’ heads with a friendly, accessible gloss.When Corporate Activism Has a Dark Side | Erin Berger | April 22, 2021 | Outside OnlineThe 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.HBO Max's Offbeat Tech Satire Made for Love Goes Down Easy—Maybe Too Easy | Judy Berman | April 1, 2021 | TimeThe euphemism most commonly used by convicts for dying is to “be taken off the count.”A Million Ways to Die in Prison | Daniel Genis | December 8, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe euphemism of “collateral damage” comes with that package.Blood and War: The Hard Truth About ‘Boots on the Ground’ | Clive Irving | September 22, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAnother week, another botched killing under the legal euphemism of capital punishment.Why the Death Penalty Needs to Die | Nick Gillespie | July 31, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTA commonly-used euphemism for this phenomenon is that the technology “is not yet mature.”NTSB Doesn’t Think the Boeing 787 Dreamliner Is Safe Enough to Fly | Clive Irving | May 28, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTBabylon could be a euphemism for Rome or it could just be a metaphor for imagined exile.Who Really Put the Pope in Charge? | Candida Moss | April 27, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAs there are many Corsican policemen on the Continent they use this euphemism to designate the ignoble calling they follow.The Nabob | Alphonse DaudetHe reported having received information that Rosecrans was being reënforced, but in this again he may be suspected of a euphemism.Stone's River | Wilson J. VanceFor market competition (as already quoted) "is a euphemism for railroad policy."Railroads: Rates and Regulations | William Z. RipleyShe used terms regarding cathedrals and pictures for which boredom is the mildly polite euphemism.The Mountebank | William J. LockeThe suggestion of smallpox appears to be the same euphemism which was resorted to in the cases of other exalted personages.A History of Epidemics in Britain (Volume I of II) | Charles CreightonSee More ExamplesBritish Dictionary definitions for euphemismeuphemism/ (ˈjuːfɪˌmɪzəm) /nounan 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 urinatethe use of such inoffensive words or phrasesOrigin of euphemism1C17: from Greek euphēmismos, from eu- + phēmē speechDerived forms of euphemismeuphemistic, adjectiveeuphemistically, adverbCollins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition

© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins

Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012Cultural definitions for euphemismeuphemism[ (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.Browse#aabbccddeeffgghhiijjkkllmmnnooppqqrrssttuuvvwwxxyyzzAboutCareersShopContact usAdvertise with usCookies, terms, & privacyDo not sell my infoFollow usGet the Word of the Day every day!Sign upBy clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.My account© 2024 Dictionary.com, LLC

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euphemism noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes | Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary at OxfordLearnersDictionaries.com

euphemism noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes | Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary at OxfordLearnersDictionaries.com

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Definition of euphemism noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

euphemism noun  /ˈjuːfəmɪzəm/  /ˈjuːfəmɪzəm/

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euphemism (for something) an indirect word or phrase that people often use to refer to something embarrassing or unpleasant, sometimes to make it seem more acceptable than it really is‘Pass away’ is a euphemism for ‘die’.‘User fees’ is just a politician's euphemism for taxes.Wordfinderalliterationeuphemismfigure of speechhyperboleimagelitotesmetaphormetonymyonomatopoeiaparadoxTopics Languagec1Word Originlate 16th cent.: from Greek euphēmismos, from euphēmizein ‘use auspicious words’, from eu ‘well’ + phēmē ‘speaking’.

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See euphemism in the Oxford Advanced American DictionaryCheck pronunciation:

euphemism

Nearby words

Eunice

eunuch noun

euphemism noun

euphemistic adjective

euphemistically adverb

boost

verb

From the Topic

Change, cause and effect

B2

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