使用委婉语的好处在于把话说得曲而不晦,避免语言过于直白而伤及对方或给对方留下唐突的印象。本文分析英语委婉语的语义内涵及语用功能,以期让读者准确理解英语委婉语的内涵并能恰当地使用它们。1引言英语委婉语(euphemism)一词源自希腊语,它是人类社会发展至今使用语言的一种普遍现象。前缀“eu”的意思是“good”(好),词根“-phemism”意为“speech”(言语),合起来意思是“word of good omen”(吉言或好听的说法)。斯 The advantage of using euphemism lies in the fact that the words are quiet and not obtrusive, avoiding the language being too straightforward and injuring each other or leaving abrupt impression on each other. This paper analyzes the semantic meaning and pragmatic functions of English euphemism, in order to allow readers to accurately understand the meaning of English euphemisms and can use them properly. 1 Introduction The term euphemism is derived from Greek, which is a common phenomenon in the development of human society so far. The prefix “eu ” means “good ”, root “- phemism ” means “speech ”, which together means “word of good omen” Words or nice words). Sri Lanka