Word · CEFR C2 · Frequency #18533
euphemism
委婉语；委婉说法
euphemism
- 1.
The use of a word or phrase to replace another one that is more offensive, blunt or vulgar.
用委婉词句替代更冒犯、直白或粗俗的表达
- 2.
an inoffensive or indirect expression that is substituted for one that is considered offensive or too harsh
委婉语
- 3.
A word or phrase that replaces another in this way.
用作委婉替代的词句
用委婉词句替代更冒犯、直白或粗俗的表达；委婉语；用作委婉替代的词句；委婉词
In use
'Passed away' is a gentle euphemism for 'died'.
She used the euphemism 'between jobs' to explain why she was unemployed.
Customers often prefer euphemisms like 'pre-owned' to the word 'used'.
a euphemism for sth
常用来解释某一表达的真实含义。也可写作“a euphemism for [名词]”。
The term 'passed away' is a euphemism for 'died'.
“过世”是“去世”的委婉说法。
use a euphemism
强调为避免冒犯或尴尬而选择委婉表达。后接具体表达时可用“use a euphemism for/about sth”。
Instead of saying 'he lost his job', she used a euphemism.
她没有直接说“他失业了”，而是用了委婉说法。
as a euphemism
用于说明某词在特定语境中承担委婉语的功能，常与介词for连用。也可说“as a euphemism for sth”。
Connections
Collocations
- euphemism for
- …的委婉说法
- The phrase "passed away" is a euphemism for "died."短语“passed away”是“died”的委婉说法。
- use a euphemism
- 使用委婉语
- She used a euphemism to avoid saying the word "fired."她用了一个委婉语，避免直接说“解雇”这个词。
- polite euphemism
- 礼貌的委婉说法
- He offered a polite euphemism for his boss's bad decision.他用了一个礼貌的委婉说法来评价老板的糟糕决定。
- political euphemism
- 政治委婉语
- War is often described with political euphemisms.战争常常用政治委婉语来描述。
- just a euphemism for
- 不过是…的委婉说法
- "Downsizing" is just a euphemism for getting rid of workers.“精简规模”不过是裁掉员工的委婉说法。
Learner notes
Memory Tip
记 euphemism 时想：eu 像‘优’，用更优（好听）的话替掉刺耳的词，如把‘死’说成‘走了’。
Context & Register
语域：mixed 常见场景：discussing language、formal writing、media analysis euphemism 多用于讨论语言表达本身，比较常见于正式写作、媒体评论或语言教学中；日常口语里也会用到。整体属于中性偏正式的词，不宜笼统说它只用于某个场合。
Pronunciation & Spelling
eulogy and euphoria match the initial "eu" /ju/ of euphemism; criticism, optimism, pessimism, and organism match its final "-ism" /ɪzəm/ suffix. None fully rhymes with /ˈjufəˌmɪzəm/, since euphemism stresses the first syllable and the other words have different stress or endings.
Usage priority
Collins 词频等级为 1，建议结合例句记忆，而不是只背中文释义。
Learn the forms together
页面下方列出了常见词形变化。学习时注意它们在句子中的语法位置。
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, OCTANOVE, WIKTIONARY.