euphemistic

UK: /ˌjuːfəˈmɪstɪk/

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

eu•phe•mism /ˈyufəˌmɪzəm/   n. 

1. Rhetoric [uncountable] the substitution of a mild, indirect, or vague expression for one thought to be offensive, harsh, or blunt.
2. Rhetoric [countable] word or expression so substituted: "To pass away'' is a euphemism for "to die.''

eu•phe•mis•tic, adj. 
eu•phe•mis•ti•cal•ly, adv. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

eu•phe•mism  (yo̅o̅′fə miz′əm), n. 

1. Rhetoric the substitution of a mild, indirect, or vague expression for one thought to be offensive, harsh, or blunt.
2. Rhetoric the expression so substituted:
   "To pass away'' is a euphemism for "to die.''

• Greek euphēmismós the use of words of good omen, equivalent. to eu- eu- + phé̄m(ē) speaking, fame + -ismos -ism
• 1650–60;

eu′phe•mist, n. 
eu′phe•mis′tic, eu′phe•mis′ti•cal, eu•phe•mi•ous  (yo̅o̅ fē′mē əs), adj.  eu′phe•mis′ti•cal•ly, eu•phe′mi•ous•ly, adv.