euphemism

2 definitions • 4 examples

a word or phrase used to avoid saying an unpleasant or offensive word:

euphemism for "Senior citizen" is a euphemism for "old person".

I would rather you say what you mean than resort to euphemisms.

The article made so much use of euphemism that often its meaning was unclear.

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:

[ C ] The phrase “left to pursue other interests” is a euphemism for “fired.”