Skip to main content

euphemismA mild or indirect term substituted for one considered too harsh or direct

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: A mild or indirect term substituted for one considered too harsh or direct

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈjuːfəmɪzəm/

Korean meaning: 완곡어법, 돌려 말하기 (직설적이거나 거친 표현 대신 쓰는 부드러운 표현)

Korean pronunciation: **유**퍼미즘

Example Sentences

  • My boss said I was 'between jobs' - what a nice euphemism for unemployed!
  • Politicians love euphemisms like 'revenue enhancement' instead of 'tax increase'
  • She said her cooking was 'rustic' - a euphemism for burnt!

euphemism

NOUN

//ˈjuːfəmɪzəm//

A mild or indirect term substituted for one considered too harsh or direct

euphemism concept
💡 Concept

Manager uses euphemism to deliver difficult news gently to employee

euphemism rhyme
🎵 Rhyme

The euphemism mechanism triggers sharp criticism!

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈjuːfəmɪzəm/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈjuːfəmɪzəm/

🌳Etymology

Prefixeu--
Rootpheme
Suffix--ism

Origin

From Greek euphemismos, meaning 'to speak with good words.' Ancient Greeks used this term for the practice of substituting pleasant or indirect expressions for harsh or direct ones.

🎵Rhyme

criticismmechanismorganism
criticism
mechanism
organism

🔗Collocations

use a euphemism
political euphemism
common euphemism
euphemism for death
polite euphemism

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

My boss said I was 'between jobs' - what a nice euphemism for unemployed!

Politicians love euphemisms like 'revenue enhancement' instead of 'tax increase'

😄 Fun example

She said her cooking was 'rustic' - a euphemism for burnt!

The company announced 'rightsizing' as a euphemism for layoffs

📚Related Words

Synonyms

circumlocutionunderstatementindirect expressionpolite term

Antonyms

bluntnessdirectnessfrankness

Related

metaphordiplomatic languagetactful expressionpolitical correctness

Want to master 19,000+ words?

Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.