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euphemism

E e

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • \ˈyü-fə-ˌmi-zəm\
    • /ˈjuː.fə.mɪ.zəm/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • \ˈyü-fə-ˌmi-zəm\

Definitions of euphemism word

  • noun euphemism A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing. 1
  • countable noun euphemism A euphemism is a polite word or expression that is used to refer to things which people may find upsetting or embarrassing to talk about, for example sex, the human body, or death. 0
  • noun euphemism an 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 urinate 0
  • noun euphemism the use of such inoffensive words or phrases 0
  • noun euphemism the use of a word or phrase that is less expressive or direct but considered less distasteful, less offensive, etc. than another 0
  • noun euphemism a word or phrase so substituted (Ex.: remains for corpse) 0

Information block about the term

Parts of speech for Euphemism

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

euphemism popularity

A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 55% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

euphemism usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for euphemism

noun euphemism

  • understatement — the act or an instance of understating, or representing in a weak or restrained way that is not borne out by the facts: The journalist wrote that the earthquake had caused some damage. This turned out to be a massive understatement of the devastation.
  • synonym — Biology. one of two or more scientific names applied to a single taxon.
  • code word — A code word is a word or phrase that has a special meaning, different from its normal meaning, for the people who have agreed to use it in this way.
  • weasel word — a word used to temper the forthrightness of a statement; a word that makes one's views equivocal, misleading, or confusing.
  • circumlocution — A circumlocution is a way of saying or writing something using more words than are necessary instead of being clear and direct.

Antonyms for euphemism

noun euphemism

  • dysphemism — the substitution of a harsh, disparaging, or unpleasant expression for a more neutral one.

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See also

Matching words

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