Word
euphemism
Meanings
a polite or indirect expression used instead of a more direct one that might be unpleasant or offensive
a mild or vague expression that makes something seem less harsh, serious, or negative
Definition
A euphemism is a polite or indirect word or phrase used instead of one that may seem harsh or embarrassing.
A euphemism is a softer, more polite way to say something that could sound rude, unpleasant, or too direct. People use euphemisms to avoid offending others or to talk about sensitive topics like death, money, or bodily functions. Euphemisms can also be used to make something sound less serious than it really is.
Examples
- He used a euphemism to avoid saying the job was a failure.
- “Passed away” is a common euphemism for death.
- The company’s euphemism for layoffs didn’t fool anyone.
- She chose a euphemism because the topic was sensitive.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse a euphemism (softer wording) with an acronym or abbreviation (shortened form of words).
More at C1 level
- ubiquitous Present, appearing, or found everywhere at the same time.
- xenophobia Xenophobia is a strong dislike or fear of people from other countries or cultures.
- genocide Genocide is the deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular group in order to …
- conundrum A conundrum is a confusing and difficult problem to solve.
- pretentious Trying to seem more important, intelligent, or cultured than you really are.
More nouns
- fascism Fascism is an extreme right-wing political system with a powerful dictator, strong nationalism, and…
- gaslighting Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation that makes someone doubt their own memory, judg…
- narcissist A narcissist is someone who is excessively self-centered and craves admiration while showing little…
- empathy Empathy is the ability to understand and share another person’s feelings.
- metaphor A metaphor is a way of describing something by saying it is something else to create a clear image …