1 euphuism | Definition of euphuism
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

euphuism

noun
eu·​phu·​ism | \ ˈyü-fyÉ™-ËŒwi-zÉ™m How to pronounce euphuism (audio) , -fyü-ËŒi-\

Definition of euphuism

1 : an elegant Elizabethan literary style marked by excessive use of balance, antithesis, and alliteration and by frequent use of similes drawn from mythology and nature
2 : artificial elegance of language
Other Words from euphuism Did You Know? Learn More about euphuism

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from euphuism

euphuist \ ˈyü-​fyÉ™-​wist How to pronounce euphuist (audio) , -​fyü-​ist \ noun
euphuistic \ ËŒyü-​fyÉ™-​ˈwi-​stik How to pronounce euphuistic (audio) , -​fyü-​ˈi-​ \ adjective
euphuistically \ ËŒyü-​fyÉ™-​ˈwi-​sti-​k(É™-​)lÄ“ How to pronounce euphuistically (audio) , -​fyü-​ˈi-​ \ adverb

Did You Know?

Nowadays, someone who uses euphuism might be accused of linguistic excess and affectation, but "euphuism" hasn't always had a negative connotation. When John Lyly employed this verbose form of rhetoric in his prose works Euphues: The Anatomy of Wit (1578) and Euphues and His England (1580), it was a style that appealed to many of his contemporaries. "Euphuism" comes from the name of the character Euphues, whom Lyly described as a "young gallante, of more wit then wealth, and yet of more wealth then wisdome." The name was probably inspired by a Greek word meaning "witty." The term "euphuism" came into being to refer to Lyly's (and other writers') style a dozen or so years after his works appeared.

First Known Use of euphuism

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for euphuism

Euphues, character in prose romances by John Lyly

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on euphuism

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with euphuism

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about euphuism

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!