euphemism

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++

eu·phe·mis·m /ˈjuːfəmɪzəm/ noun [countable] SLPOLITEa polite word or expression that you use instead of a more direct one to avoid shocking or upsetting someone 委婉语；委婉说法 ‘Pass away’ is a euphemism for ‘die’. “去世”是“死”的委婉语。

Examples from the Corpus

euphemism• "Pass away" is a euphemism for "die."• Frank lists examples of this craze for economic euphemisms with a mixture of horrified amazement and scorn.• But a recent desire for euphemism by Procter and Gamble strikes me as a possible exception to my rule.• This is not just a liberal euphemism for the city's ethnic diversity.• Both had clearly spent the morning raiding the dictionary of euphemism.• Leg theory or fast leg theory were the euphemisms used.• But these euphemisms never really fitted the bill.• These euphemisms are accepted at face value-to the benefit of those labeled by them.Origin euphemism (1500-1600) Greek euphemismos, from euphemos “sounding good”, from pheme “speech”

eu·phe·mis·m nounChineseSyllable

polite of you or word Corpus that instead expression a a use

euphemism
eu‧phe‧mis‧m /ˈjuːfəmɪzəm, ˈjuːfɪmɪzəm/

noun [countable]

Date: 1500-1600
Language: Greek
Origin: euphemismos, from euphemos 'sounding good', from pheme 'speech'

a polite word or expression that you use instead of a more direct one to avoid shocking or upsetting someone:

‘Pass away’ is a euphemism for ‘die’.

eu·phem·ism

BrE

/ˈjuːfəmɪzəm/

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NAmE

/ˈjuːfəmɪzəm/

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noun

~ (for sth)

an indirect word or phrase that people often use to refer to sth embarrassing or unpleasant, sometimes to make it seem more acceptable than it really is 委婉语；委婉说法

◆'Pass away' is a euphemism for 'die'. “去世” 是 “死” 的委婉语。

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