Euphemism Definition, Meaning & Examples

Euphemism definition

A euphemism is a polite or indirect way of saying something that might be harsh, embarrassing, or unpleasant.

The word comes from Greek:

"Eu" (good, well)
"Pheme" (speech, saying)

So, a euphemism literally means “good speech.” It softens difficult or uncomfortable topics, making them easier to talk about.

Euphemism vs. Dysphemism

Many people confuse euphemisms with dysphemisms, but they are opposites:

Euphemism	Dysphemism
A polite or mild way to say something	A harsh or offensive way to say something
Example: "Passed away" (instead of "died")	Example: "Kicked the bucket" (instead of "died")
Softens the impact	Makes it sound worse or more dramatic

Why Do We Use Euphemisms?

Euphemisms serve many purposes in communication:

✅ To avoid offense – Instead of saying "You're fired," employers say "We're letting you go."
✅ To be polite – Instead of saying "old person," we say "senior citizen."
✅ To discuss sensitive topics – Instead of saying "he died," people say "he passed away."
✅ To sound professional – Instead of "toilet," businesses use "restroom" or "washroom."
✅ To add humor or irony – Instead of "bald," we say "follically challenged."

50 Common Euphemism Examples in English

Death

Euphemism	Meaning	Example
Passed away	Died	"My grandmother passed away last night."
No longer with us	Dead	"He is no longer with us."
Laid to rest	Buried	"She was laid to rest yesterday."
In a better place	Dead	"We believe he's in a better place now."
Gone to heaven	Died	"Our dog has gone to heaven."
Kicked the bucket	Died (informal)	"He finally kicked the bucket."
Lost someone	Someone died	"I'm sorry you lost your uncle."
Crossed over	Died	"She crossed over peacefully."
Didn't make it	Died	"Sadly, the patient didn’t make it."
Departed	Dead	"We honor the departed on this day."

Job Loss or Unemployment Euphemisms

Euphemism	Meaning	Example
Let go	Fired	"He was let go from his job."
Between jobs	Unemployed	"I'm currently between jobs."
Downsized	Fired (due to budget cuts)	"The company downsized its staff."
Made redundant	Fired (position eliminated)	"She was made redundant last year."
Taking time off	Unemployed	"He's taking some time off from work."

Toilet or Bathroom Euphemisms

Euphemism	Meaning	Example
Restroom	Toilet	"Excuse me, where is the restroom?"
Powder room	Toilet (women's)	"I'll just freshen up in the powder room."
Washroom	Toilet	"Could you show me to the washroom?"
Facilities	Bathroom	"Can you direct me to the facilities?"
Ladies' / Gents' room	Bathroom	"The ladies' room is down the hall."

Lying or Dishonesty Euphemisms

Euphemism	Meaning	Example
Economical with the truth	Not completely honest	"Politicians are often economical with the truth."
Stretching the truth	Lying	"He was stretching the truth about his abilities."
White lie	Minor, harmless lie	"It was just a white lie to spare her feelings."
Creative with the truth	Dishonest	"The salesman was very creative with the truth."
Misleading statement	Lie	"The report contained a misleading statement."

Financial Problems Euphemisms

Euphemism	Meaning	Example
Cash flow issue	Financial trouble	"We're experiencing a temporary cash flow issue."
Tightening the belt	Reducing spending	"Our family is tightening the belt right now."
Economically disadvantaged	Poor	"We support economically disadvantaged students."
Underprivileged	Poor	"Donations help underprivileged children."
Modest income	Low income	"Families on a modest income struggle here."

Age and Appearance Euphemisms

Euphemism	Meaning	Example
Senior citizen	Old person	"Discounts are available for senior citizens."
Mature	Older	"She's a mature lady looking for companionship."
Fuller figure	Overweight	"We cater to customers with fuller figures."
Curvy	Overweight (positive)	"She has a curvy figure."
Thin on top	Balding	"He's a bit thin on top now."

Relationships and Divorce Euphemisms

Euphemism	Meaning	Example
Seeing someone else	Cheating or dating others	"He admitted he's seeing someone else."
On a break	Temporarily separated	"They're on a break right now."
Parted ways	Separated or divorced	"The couple parted ways last year."
Seeing other people	Dating others	"We've decided to start seeing other people."
Conscious uncoupling	Divorce	"They described their divorce as conscious uncoupling."

Pregnancy and Childbirth Euphemisms

Euphemism	Meaning	Example
Expecting	Pregnant	"She's expecting her second child."
Bun in the oven	Pregnant	"They have a bun in the oven!"
In the family way	Pregnant	"She's in the family way again."
Special delivery	Giving birth	"She had a special delivery yesterday."
With child	Pregnant	"She is with child and due in June."

Miscellaneous Euphemisms

Euphemism	Meaning	Example
Big-boned	Overweight	"He describes himself as big-boned."
Vertically challenged	Short	"She jokes that she's vertically challenged."
Correctional facility	Prison	"He spent three years in a correctional facility."
Adult entertainment	Pornography	"This store sells adult entertainment."
Friendly fire	Accidental attack by allies	"Soldiers were injured by friendly fire."

Common Mistakes with Euphemisms

❌ Using too many euphemisms: If you replace every negative word with a euphemism, your speech may sound unclear.

❌ Misusing euphemisms: Some euphemisms are only used in certain situations. For example, saying "He kicked the bucket" (which means He died) can sound rude in a formal situation.

❌ Not understanding the meaning: Some euphemisms have hidden meanings that non-native speakers might not understand.

FAQ

What is the difference between a euphemism and a slang word?

A euphemism makes something sound softer or more polite, while slang is informal language that may not always be polite.

Are euphemisms always polite?

Most euphemisms are polite, but some can be sarcastic or humorous. For example, "He is not the sharpest tool in the shed" is a euphemism for "He is not very smart."

Can euphemisms change over time?

Yes! Some euphemisms become outdated and are replaced by new ones. For example, "Mentally challenged" used to be a common euphemism, but today, "Person with a cognitive disability" is preferred.

What are some euphemisms for money?

Some common euphemisms for money include "Dough," "Moolah," "Bread," and "Cash flow."

How can I learn more euphemisms?

You can read books, watch movies, and listen to native speakers. Paying attention to how people use polite or indirect expressions will help you understand euphemisms better.