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Euphemism - English meaning

Euphemism – definitions in English dictionary

noun

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

Usage examples:

The jargon has given us ‘downsizing’ as a euphemism for cuts

Synonims:

Polite termSubstituteMild alternativeIndirect termUnderstatementUnderplayingSofteningPolitenessGenteelismCoy term
noun

The use of a word or phrase to avoid saying another word or phrase that may be unpleasant or offensive, or the word or phrase used

Usage examples:

[ c ] the phrase “left to pursue other interests” is a euphemism for “fired.”, euphemistic words fo…

Euphemism translation into English

Euphemism: translate from English into Chinese

Translate euphemism into Chinese (Simplified)}
委婉语, 婉辞, 廋词

Euphemism: translate from English into Dutch

Translate euphemism into Dutch}
Eufemisme

Euphemism: translate from English into French

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Euphémisme

Euphemism: translate from English into German

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Euphemismus, Verhüllung

Euphemism: translate from English into Hindi

Translate euphemism into Hindi}
व्यंजना, प्रेयोक्ति

Euphemism: translate from English into Italian

Translate euphemism into Italian}
Eufemismo

Euphemism: translate from English into Korean

Translate euphemism into Korean}
완곡 어법, 완곡 어구

Euphemism: translate from English into Russian

Translate euphemism into Russian}
Эвфемизм

Euphemism: translate from English into Spanish

Translate euphemism into Spanish}
Eufemismo, Proceso eufemístico

Word origin

late 16th century: from Greek euphēmismos, from euphēmizein ‘use auspicious words’, from eu ‘well’ + phēmē ‘speaking’.

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Euphemism synonims

genteelism

noun

A word or expression used because it is thought to be socially more acceptable than the everyday word.

Usage examples:

In german usage ‘sister’ was the accepted genteelism for ‘mistress’
Genteelism - all meanings in English

politeness

noun

Behaviour that is respectful and considerate of other people.

Usage examples:

He always treated me with the utmost politeness
noun

Behaviour that is socially correct and shows understanding of and care for other people's feelings

Usage examples:

They asked how he was out of politeness, not because they really wanted to know., she smiled at the…
Politeness - all meanings in English

softening

verb

Make or become soft or softer.

Usage examples:

Plant extracts to soften and moisturize the skin
adjective

That has stopped increasing or that is falling

Usage examples:

A softening job market eventually will mean slower wage growth., the state's unemployment rate has …
Softening - all meanings in English

substitute

noun

A person or thing acting or serving in place of another.

Usage examples:

Soya milk is used as a substitute for dairy milk
verb

Use or add in place of.

Usage examples:

Dried rosemary can be substituted for the fresh herb
verb

To use someone or something instead of another person or thing

Usage examples:

[ t ] you can substitute oil for butter in this recipe., [ i ] he was called on to substitute for t…
Substitute - all meanings in English

underplaying

verb

Perform (something) in a restrained way.

Usage examples:

The violins underplayed the romantic element in the music
verb

Present participle of underplay

Usage examples:

While not wanting to underplay the seriousness of the situation, i have to say that it is not as ba…
Underplaying - all meanings in English

understatement

noun

The presentation of something as being smaller or less good or important than it really is.

Usage examples:

A master of english understatement
noun

A statement that something is much smaller, much less important, or much less serious than it really is

Usage examples:

It's an understatement to say the workers are worried about their futures., with understatement the…
Understatement - all meanings in English

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