# euphemist

/ˈjufəmɪst/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/euphemist
Updated: 2026-09-29

## Definition

a person who uses mild or indirect words to talk about something unpleasant or embarrassing. You might be one if you say 'passed away' instead of 'died' to be polite.

For teachers: a person who employs mild, indirect, or vague expressions as substitutes for those considered harsh, blunt, or offensive.

## Examples

- The euphemist described the mass firing as a 'career transition opportunity'.
- A skilled euphemist in the government office managed to rebrand the tax increase as a 'community investment contribution'.
- Critics argued that the spokesperson was a professional euphemist, using opaque language to obscure the environmental impact of the new industrial project.

## Usage notes

- Often used to describe someone who avoids direct language in political, medical, or social contexts.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.