euphemistic


Also found in: Thesaurus, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.
Related to euphemistic: Elucidatory

eu·phe·mism

 (yo͞o′fə-mĭz′əm)
n.
1. A mild, indirect, or vague term for one that is considered harsh, blunt, or offensive: "Euphemisms such as 'slumber room' ... abound in the funeral business" (Jessica Mitford).
2. The use of such terms: "Euphemism is common in hospital and medical facilities where bodily functions need to be discussed" (Diane F. Halpern).

[Greek euphēmismos, from euphēmizein, to use auspicious words, from euphēmiā, use of auspicious words : eu-, eu- + phēmē, speech; see bhā- in Indo-European roots.]

eu′phe·mist n.
eu′phe·mis′tic (-mĭs′tĭk) adj.
eu′phe·mis′ti·cal·ly adv.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Adj.1.euphemistic - substituting a mild term for a harsher or distasteful one; "`peepee' is a common euphemistic term"
dysphemistic, offensive - substitute a harsher or distasteful term for a mild one
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

euphemistic

adjective polite, alternative, substitute, genteel the many euphemistic terms for death
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
Translations
تَلْطيفي
eufemistisk
euphémiqueeuphémiste
eufemisztikus
skrauthverfur; veigrunar-; fegrandi
eufemístico
eufemistický
kibarörtmeceli

euphemistic

[ˌjuːfɪˈmɪstɪk] ADJeufemístico
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

euphemistic

[ˌjuːfəˈmɪstɪk] adjeuphémique
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

euphemistic

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

euphemistic

[ˌjuːfəˈmɪstɪk] adjeufemistico/a
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

euphemism

(ˈjuːfəmizəm) noun
a pleasant name for something that is unpleasant. `Pass on' is a euphemism for `die'.
ˌeupheˈmistic adjective
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
References in periodicals archive ?
If we use vague or euphemistic terms when talking about sustainability, consumers won't grasp the urgency and scale of the challenges we face.
and the hidden forces behind these cases which is often a euphemistic reference towards Pakistan's establishment.
However, a word or expression is not euphemistic or dysphemistic per se, but rather depends on the context and the speakers' intentions and, as such, "the euphemistic or dysphemistic quality of a word can never be considered as an intrinsic quality of the word regardless of context" (Crespo-Fernandez 2008, 107).
As usual, it's always the loudest and most radical not the majority who force these bills to the legislature under the euphemistic label of women's health.
The Pak-China ties have often been defined in euphemistic terms, like being 'higher than the Himalayas' and 'deeper than the deepest sea'.
India, April 1 -- Watchman apparently is a euphemistic city-bred term often used to describe a lowly Chowkidar's job, which no skilled or literate person wants to do, but as a last resort.
"However, there has been little long-term reduction in the amount of waste being created and a growing proportion is going to the euphemistic 'energy-from-waste'.
"I misconducted myself verbally," was Djokovic's euphemistic description for his moment of anger.
This is so, despite Panelo's dexterity in making euphemistic spins on PRRD's vulgarities and shocking disclosures.
is euphemistic either in current use to distinguish an economically backward and ul}derdeveloped country from an economically developed and advanced one.
Or read or seen an insult directed at someone.Insult is quite euphemistic here because what some people write on those sites are beyond that they border character assassination, if they aren't.
" In ordinary conversations, this Christmas, the word Brexit is being replaced by the euphemistic The B-word" to avoid groans of despair or a revival of long-running family feuds.