Main Entry: eu·phe·mism

Pronunciation: \ˈyü-fə-ˌmi-zəm\

Function: noun

Etymology: Greek euphēmismos, from euphēmos auspicious, sounding good, from eu- + phēmē speech, from phanai to speak — more at ban

Date: circa 1681

: the substitution of an agreeable or inoffensive expression for one that may offend or suggest something unpleasant; also : the expression so substituted

— eu·phe·mist \-mist\ noun

— eu·phe·mis·tic \ˌyü-fə-ˈmis-tik\ adjective

— eu·phe·mis·ti·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb