the use of a more palatable word or phrase in place of a more direct or crude one. [Contributor: Dr. Ismail S. Talib, National University of Singapore.
The use of a polite, agreeable, or inoffensive word or expression in place of one that is harsh, rude, or offensive. Also, to use pleasant or inoffensive language to soften or mask upsetting truths. Also, the word(s) so used. See also EDIT STYLE
An indirect or "nice" expression used instead of a more direct one: Correctional facility instead of jail.
A figure of speech using indirection to avoid offensive bluntness, such as "deceased" for "dead" or "remains" for "corpse."
an inoffensive expression that is substituted for one that is considered offensive
a figure of speech, whether it be metonymy, a metaphor, or some other kind of idiom, used for the purpose of avoiding talking explicitly about some taboo or unpleasant topic
a gentler way of saying something
a metaphorical or metonymic use of an expression in place of another expression that is disagreeable or offensive
a milder or vaguer word or phrase used in place of one that might seem too harsh or embarrassing in a particular context
a mild, indirect, or vague term that is substituted for one considered blunt or offensive
a mild, vague or pleasant expression substituted for one thought to be too offensive or blunt (e
an expression used when talking about a cultural taboo or sensitive subject
a polite word or phrase, which is used to describe a controversial or indiscreet activity
a "polite" word that you may substitute for a formal or general use word
a substitute word, which is often more politically correct
a term used to say something indirectly or sometimes less offensively
a verbal tool Masking grief as acceptably cool This vocal contrivance, succinctly euphemistic Glosses over facts distressfully realistic
a way of saying something bad without making it sound so bad, in other words it is a way to lighten the harsh truth
a way of substituting words to soften or otherwise alter the reality or perception of a certain condition
a word created to mask the negative connotations of a certain object or action
a word or phrase substituting a mild, indirect, or vague term for one considered harsh, blunt, or offensive
a word or phrase that makes something sound better than it is
a word or phrase that people use to refer to something embarrassing or unpleasant, or to make something seem more acceptable than it really is
a word or phrase that substitutes for language the speaker or writer feels is too blunt or somehow offensive
a word or phrase used in place of a term that originally could not be spoken aloud (see taboo ) or, by extension, terms which the speaker considers to be disagreeable or offensive
a word or phrase used to mask a rude or offensive concept
a word (or phrase) which people use in place of terms whichare more disagreeable or offensive to themselves and/or to their audience
a word that is used in place of a less socially accepted term
a word--usually a nice word--used to mean another that is not so nice
A more positive word or less offensive expression used as a substitute for a term associated with unpleasant or sensitive topics; for example, sanitary engineer for garbage collector; or passed away for died.
Expressing something unpleasant in milder, more inoffensive language. Euphemism, or 'fine speech' is a verbal device for avoiding an unpleasant concept or expression, as when, instead of saying a person 'died', we say he 'passed away'.
The substitution of a mild or less negative word or phrase for a harsh or blunt one. The basic psychology of euphemistic language is the desire to put something bad or embarrassing in a positive (or at least neutral light). Thus many terms referring to death, sex, crime, and excremental functions are euphemisms. Since the euphemism is often chosen to disguise something horrifying, it can be exploited by the satirist through the use of irony and exaggeration. example- Instead of describing Jim Baker as a crazy old hermit, Mark Twain says, "He was a middle-aged, simple-hearted miner who had lived in a lonely corner of California, among the birds and the mountains, a good many years, and he studied the ways of his only neighbors, the beasts and the birds, until he believed he could accurately translate any remark which they made." from "Baker's Bluejay Yarn" by Mark Twain
An inoffensive substitute for a term considered offensive or inappropriate. For example, Cottonelle UltraSoft Double Roll bathroom tissue is a lengthy euphemism for toilet paper. [Greek eu "good" + pheme "speech"
The substitution of an agreeable or inoffensive expression to replace one that might offend or suggest something unpleasant, for example, "he is at rest" is a euphemism for "he is dead." (Contrast Dysphemism)
(Gk. eu 'good' + phanai 'to say'; ©e°û»y): An attractive substitute for a harsh or unpleasant word or concept; a less direct way of referring to something potentially offensive.
Words that are used to disguise a nasty fact with a nice name. For example: "He's passed away." is a euphamism for "He's died."
The substitution of a mild or less negative word or phrase for a harsh or blunt one, as in the use of "pass away" instead of "die." The basic psychology of euphemistic language is the desire to put something bad or embarrassing in a positive (or at least neutral light). Thus many terms referring to death, sex, crime, and excremental functions are euphemisms. Since the euphemism is often chosen to disguise something horrifying, it can be exploited by the satirist through the use of irony and exaggeration.
A phrase used in place of something disagreeable or upsetting ("passed on" instead of "died").
the act or example of substituting a mild, indirect, or vague term for one considered harsh, blunt, or offensive
a deliberate softening of a harsh truth. e.g. The old man passed away. (rather than "died")
Use of a more acceptable or roundabout expression to replace an offensive word or expression or linguistic taboo. Example: "passed away" for "died." Dysphemisms are purposely offensive terms used by a speaker to express rebellion or oppose social proprieties. Example: Yelling, "Shit" in the middle of class.
A pleasant term substituted for a blunt one in order to soften the impact of unpleasant information.
The substitution of a mild or less negative word or phrase for a harsh or blunt one; such as "potty" for toilet and "boogies" for snot
A euphemism is an expression intended by the speaker to be less offensive, disturbing, or troubling to the listener than the word or phrase it replaces, or in the case of doublespeak to make it less troublesome for the speaker.