Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “euphemism” come from?

Euphemism comes from Ancient Greek εὐφημισμός, derived from εὐφημίζω meaning to speak with good words, from εὔφημος, combining εὖ good with φήμη speech, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European bʰeh₂- to speak.

euphemism (English): The use of a word or phrase to replace another...

Definitions

  1. The use of a word or phrase to replace another...

Ancestry of “euphemism”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Ancient Greekεὐφημισμός—
2Ancient Greekεὐφημίζω—
3Ancient GreekΕὔφημος—
4Ancient Greekφήμηprophetic voice, oracle; rumor; reputation
5Proto-Hellenicpʰā́mā—
6Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰeh₂-meh₂—
7Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰeh₂-to shine, glow light; to speak, say
8Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰeh₂-s-ri-—

Words derived from “euphemism”

  • euphemistically
  • euphemistic
Every word from Proto-Indo-European bʰeh₂-s-ri- →