🇩🇪German Source WordCode: DE

Euphemismus

Pronunciation / Transliteration: ɔʏfemiˈsmʊs

🇬🇧 Direct English Meaning:
Euphemism/ˈjuːfəmɪzəm/
nounCEFR C1 (Advanced)Top #8500 frequency
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🇩🇪 Example Sentence in German:

"Das Wort ist ein gelinder Euphemismus für Entlassung."

Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing.

    "The company used a financial euphemism like 'downsizing' to describe massive layoffs."
  2. 2

    The substitution of an agreeable or least offensive expression for one that may offend or upset.

    "Passing away is a common religious euphemism for dying."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

Derived from the Greek word 'euphemismos', meaning 'speaking with fair words' or 'using a good word for an evil one', stemming from 'eu-' (good) and 'pheme' (speaking). Historically used in religious contexts to avoid uttering taboo or ominous names, it evolved in modern English to refer generally to any mild or indirect word substituted for one considered too harsh or blunt.

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