weasel word

wea·sel word

W w

Transcription

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [wee-zuh l wurd]
- /ˈwi zəl wɜrd/

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [wee-zuh l wurd]
- /ˈwi zəl wɜrd/

Definition of weasel word words

noun weasel word a word used to temper the forthrightness of a statement; a word that makes one's views equivocal, misleading, or confusing. 1

Just one definition for weasel word

Information block about the term

Origin of weasel word

First appearance:

before 1895

One of the 18% newest English words

An Americanism dating back to 1895-1900

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Weasel word

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

Full grammatical hierarchy of Weasel word

weasel word popularity

This term is known only to a narrow circle of people with rare knowledge. Only 29% of English native speakers know the meaning of this word.

According to our data about 62% of words is more used. This is a rare but used term. It occurs in the pages of specialized literature and in the speech of educated people.

weasel word usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for weasel word

noun weasel word

amphibology — ambiguity of expression, esp when due to a grammatical construction, as in save rags and waste paper
cover up — If you cover something or someone up, you put something over them in order to protect or hide them.
deceptiveness — apt or tending to deceive: The enemy's peaceful overtures may be deceptive.
dissimulation — the act of dissimulating; feigning; hypocrisy.
coverup — an attempt to keep blunders, crimes, etc. from being disclosed

All 7 Synonyms of weasel word