Euphemism Meaning
/ˈjuː.fəˌmɪz.əm/Definition, CEFR level C2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounThe use of a word or phrase to replace another one that is more offensive, blunt or vulgar.
nounA word or phrase that replaces another in this way.
Sentence Examples
Is that a euphemism for something?
"Collateral damage" is a euphemism for killing innocent people to protect capital.
The term sanitation worker is a euphemism for a garbage man.
CEFR Practice Quiz
When they called it 'downsizing,' that was a ____ for firing many workers.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
'Economic adjustment' is often used as a ____ for a sudden and painful recession.
Word Origin & History
Recorded since 1656; from Ancient Greek εὐφημισμός (euphēmismós), from εὐφημίζω (euphēmízō), from εὔφημος (eúphēmos, “uttering sound of good omen, abstaining from inauspicious words”), from εὖ (eû, “well”) + φήμη (phḗmē, “a voice, a prophetic voice, rumor, talk”), from φημί (phēmí, “to speak, say”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Akin to it [litotes] is euphemism, which may be applied to the same purpose."
— a. 1803, James Beattie, “Of Rhetorick”, in Elements of Moral Science, volume III, Philadelphia: Hopkins and Earle, published 1809, section I, page 118:
"In 1946, George Orwell addressed the relationship of language to reality and suggested that euphemism, not imperfect analogy, was the real danger. If we don’t use shocking language to describe a shocking circumstance, can we truly recognize what is happening?"
— 2019 July 26, David J. Ulin, “Op-Ed: I’m Jewish and I don’t say this lightly: ‘Never again’ is right now in America”, in LA Times:
"When it is said of the martyr St. Stephen, that “he fell asleep,” instead of—he died, the euphemism partakes of the nature of metaphor, intimating a resemblance between sleep and the death of such a person."
— a. 1803, James Beattie, “Of Rhetorick”, in Elements of Moral Science, volume III, Philadelphia: Hopkins and Earle, published 1809, section I, page 118:
"Euphemistic language turns up in many areas of American life in a variety of situations. Not all euphemisms are alike, but they have one thing in common: They obscure meaning rather than enhance it; they shade the truth."
— 2004, George Carlin, “EUPHEMISMS: It's a Whole New Language”, in When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops?, New York: Hyperion Books, →ISBN, →OCLC, →OL, page 6:
Explore More C2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
When they called it 'downsizing,' that was a ____ for firing many workers.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
'Economic adjustment' is often used as a ____ for a sudden and painful recession.