EUPHEMISM


Meaning of EUPHEMISM in English

[ 'ju:fəmɪz(ə)m ]

■ noun a mild or less direct word substituted for one that is harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing.

Derivatives

euphemistic adjective

euphemistically adverb

euphemize or euphemise verb

Origin

C16: from Gk euphēmismos , from euphēmizein 'use auspicious words', from eu 'well' + phēmē 'speaking'.

Concise Oxford English vocab.      Сжатый оксфордский словарь английского языка.