euphemism

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Contents

English [edit]

Etymology [edit]

Recorded since 1656; from Ancient Greek εὐφημισμός (euphēmismos), from εὐφημίζω (euphēmizō), from εὔφημος (euphēmos, uttering sound of good omen, abstaining from inauspicious words), from εὖ (eu, well) + φήμη (phēmē, a voice, a prophetic voice, rumor, talk), from φάναι (phanai, to speak, say).

Pronunciation [edit]

  • enPR: yoo͞'fə-mĭz"(ə)m, IPA: /ˈjuː.fəˌmɪ.z(ə)m/, X-SAMPA: /"ju:f@%mIz(@)m/

Noun [edit]

Examples

euphemism (countable and uncountable; plural euphemisms)

  1. (uncountable) The use of a word or phrase to replace another with one that is considered less offensive, blunt or vulgar than the word or phrase it replaces.
  2. (countable) A word or phrase that is used to replace another in this way.

Antonyms [edit]

Related terms [edit]

Translations [edit]

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External links [edit]