Meaning & use
euphemism
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Meaning
nouncountable
A mild or indirect word or phrase used instead of one felt to be harsh, blunt, or unpleasant.
Grammar: Countable; usually followed by for: a euphemism for death.
Patterns
- a euphemism for something
- use a euphemism
- a polite euphemism
“Passed away” is a common euphemism for “died.”
The manager used a euphemism instead of saying the project had failed.
Some people dislike euphemisms because they hide the truth.
Word forms
| plural | euphemisms |
|---|
Common combinations
- a euphemism for death
- Many languages have a euphemism for death, such as “passed away.”
- use a euphemism
- She used a euphemism because the direct word felt too harsh.
- polite euphemism
- “Economical with the truth” is a polite euphemism for lying.
Synonyms and how they differ
- understatement
- Makes something seem smaller or less serious, while a euphemism replaces a blunt word with a softer one.
- circumlocution
- Uses many words to avoid a direct point; it is about being roundabout, not necessarily softer.
- double-speak
- Often deliberately obscures or reverses meaning and is usually criticized, whereas a euphemism may be kindly intended.
Opposites
Word family
- euphemistic adjective
- Using or containing a euphemism.
- euphemistically adverb
- In a softened or indirect way.
Commonly confused: euphemism or euthanasia?
euphemism vs euthanasia
Euthanasia is the practice of ending a life to stop suffering; it sounds similar but is not a softer word.
Practice
“Passed away” is a common euphemism ___ death.
Choose one answer.
A euphemism for something replaces the harsher expression. Of can appear in phrases like “an example of,” but the fixed learner pattern here is euphemism for death.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “euphemism”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.