What does euphemism mean?
Word: Euphemism
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Euphemism means a mild or indirect word or phrase used in place of a plainer one that might sound rude, harsh or embarrassing.
How do you spell euphemism?
Syllables: eu - phe - mism
Tricky part: It starts with eu, said like you, which pupils often write as u or yu.
Watch out for: uphemism, yuphemism
Memory tip: Eu is Greek for well or good, and a euphemism is a way of speaking well of something awkward, so begin with those two letters.
Euphemism in a sentence
Example 1: The teacher's note said Rohan was 'full of energy', a polite euphemism for never sitting still.
Example 2: In many Indian homes, washroom is the everyday euphemism for toilet.
Example 3: Grandpa calls his afternoon nap 'resting my eyes', a cheerful euphemism.
Fun Fact
The opposite of a euphemism is a dysphemism, a deliberately harsher or rougher word, such as calling an old car a heap.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Fill in the missing letters to complete the word:
eu_hem_sm
a) p, a
b) p, i
c) f, i
d) p, e
Show answer
b) p, i. The f sound is written ph, as in photo, and the word ends -ism, as in tourism.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
euphemmism
a) s
b) h
c) m
d) e
Show answer
c) m. Euphemism has only one m, near the end of the word.
Spell-o-Spell
Three words in the list are spelt correctly. Choose the meaning of the misspelt word:
1. sarcasm 2. metaphor 3. hyperbole 4. euphimism
a) a softer way of naming something awkward or unpleasant
b) deliberate exaggeration used to make a point
c) saying the opposite of what you mean, often to tease someone
d) describing one thing as if it were another
Show answer
a) a softer way of naming something awkward or unpleasant. The vowel after ph is an e, the same letter that opens the word, so euphimism is the slip.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the letters in the sentence to form a meaningful word:
Calling a small flat 'compact' is a common mupsihmee in property adverts.
a) euphonium
b) euphemism
c) euphoria
d) emphasis
Show answer
b) euphemism. Two e's, two m's and an s with no o, r or a: only euphemism uses exactly these letters.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which word is a euphemism for 'cheap'?
a) shoddy
b) overpriced
c) inexpensive
d) worthless
Show answer
c) inexpensive
2. A shop sign says 'Prices adjusted upwards'. What does it plainly mean?
a) Prices have gone up.
b) Prices are fixed for a year.
c) Prices will be shown later.
d) Prices have been cut.
Show answer
a) Prices have gone up.
