Word of the Day
: January 15, 2022euphemism
play
noun
YOO-fuh-miz-um
What It Means
A euphemism is an agreeable or inoffensive word or phrase that is used instead of one that may offend or suggest something unpleasant.
// The euphemism "passed on" is often used to communicate the unpleasant news that someone has "died."
euphemism in Context
"We are constantly reminded that pests (a euphemism for rats and racoons) feed off food scraps in unsecured trash cans." — The Brookline (Massachusetts) TAB, 9 Dec. 2021
Did You Know?
Euphemism comes from Greek eúphēmos, which means "uttering sounds of good omen," "fair-sounding," or "auspicious." The first part of that root is the prefix eu-, meaning "good." The second part is phēmos, a Greek word for "speech."
Test Your Vocabulary with M-W Quizzes
Quiz
Fill in the blanks to complete a word that refers to skill in the effective use of speech: r _ _ t _ _ i _.
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
