Skip to the word

Added 9 October 2026

euphemism

/ˈjuː.fəˌmɪz.əm/ noun

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about euphemism at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

The use of a word or phrase to replace another one that is more offensive, blunt or vulgar.
A word or phrase that replaces another in this way.

Origin

Recorded since 1656; from Ancient Greek εὐφημισμός (euphēmismós), from εὐφημίζω (euphēmízō), from εὔφημος (eúphēmos, “uttering sound of good omen, abstaining from inauspicious words”), from εὖ (eû, “well”) + φήμη (phḗmē, “a voice, a prophetic voice, rumor, talk”), from φημί (phēmí, “to speak, say”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

Back to today's word