'Euphemism' definitions:
Definition of 'euphemism'
From: WordNet
noun
An inoffensive or indirect expression that is substituted for one that is considered offensive or too harsh [ant: dysphemism]
Definition of 'Euphemism'
From: GCIDE
- Euphemism \Eu"phe*mism\ ([=u]"f[-e]*m[i^]z'm), n. [Gr. ? fr. ? to use word of a good omen; e'y^ well + ? to speak: cf. F. euph['e]misme. See Fame.] (Rhet.) A figure in which a harsh or indelicate word or expression is softened; a way of describing an offensive thing by an inoffensive expression; a mild name for something disagreeable. Euphemistic
Synonyms of 'euphemism'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- affectation,
- affectedness,
- amelioration,
- artfulness,
- artifice,
- artificiality,
- cushioning,
- elegance,
- euphuism,
- exquisiteness,
- formalism,
- formality,
- Gongorism,
- goody-goodness,
- goody-goodyism,
- hyperelegance,
- indirect,
- manneredness,
- mannerism,
- mild,
- mitigation,
- mollification,
- overelaboration,
- overelegance,
- overniceness,
- overpreciseness,
- overrefinement,
- pedantry,
- preciosity,
- preciousness,
- precisianism,
- pretentiousness,
- purism,
- substitution,
- unnaturalness,
- vague