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Euphemism vs Euphemize - What's the difference?

euphemism | euphemize |

As a noun euphemism

is (uncountable) the use of a word or phrase to replace another with one that is considered less offensive, blunt or vulgar than the word or phrase it replaces.

As a verb euphemize is

to utter one or more euphemisms; to speak euphemistically.

euphemism

English

Noun

{{examples-right, examples= * fib'' for '' * correctional facility'' for ''prison'' (compare dysphemism: ''slammer ) * sleep (with)]]'' for ''[[have sex, have sex (with)'' (compare dysphemisms: ''bang'', ''fuck ) * pass away'' for '' * vertically challenged'' for ''short'' (physical stature; compare dysphemisms: ''midget'', ''dwarf ) }}
  • (uncountable) The use of a word or phrase to replace another with one that is considered less offensive, blunt or vulgar than the word or phrase it replaces.
  • (countable) A word or phrase that is used to replace another in this way.

    • Antonyms

    * dysphemism * expletive

    Related terms

    * euphemistic

    External links

    * (wikipedia "euphemism") * * * *

    euphemize

    English

    Alternative forms

    * euphemise

    Verb

  • To utter one or more euphemisms; to speak euphemistically.
  • * 1999 , A. J. Meier, "When Is a Woman a Lady?" American Speech , vol. 74, no. 1, p. 63:
    • There seems to be some support here for the claim that the older group felt a greater need to euphemize in the two contexts in question.
  • To describe or refer to by using one or more euphemisms.
  • * 1857 , , Two Years Ago , ch. 2:
    • The pools in general are bedded with black mud, and creamed over with oily flakes which may proceed from the tar on the vessels' sides, and may also from "decomposing animal matter," as we euphemise it now-a-days.

    Derived terms

    * euphemizer/euphemiser * euphemization/euphemisation

    References

    *" euphemize" at OneLook® Dictionary Search .