Pronunciation: /juːfjʊɪzəm/

Definitions of euphuism

noun a highly elaborate and artificial style of writing or speaking, characterized by excessive use of literary devices and affected elegance

Example Sentences

A1 I heard a new word today, euphuism, but I'm not sure what it means.

A2 The teacher explained that euphuism is a style of writing characterized by elaborate language.

B1 The author's use of euphuism in the novel made the prose difficult to understand for some readers.

B2 The playwright's euphuism added a touch of sophistication to the dialogue in the play.

C1 The poet's mastery of euphuism elevated the beauty of the verses in his collection.

C2 Literary critics praised the novelist for his clever use of euphuism throughout the novel.

Examples of euphuism in a Sentence

formal The author's use of euphuism in his writing style made the novel difficult to read for some.

informal I don't really understand all the euphuism in this book, it's too fancy for me.

slang Why do you always have to use so much euphuism in your texts? Just say what you mean.

figurative Her speech was filled with euphuism, masking the true meaning behind her words.

Grammatical Forms of euphuism

past tense

euphuized

plural

euphuisms

comparative

more euphuistic

superlative

most euphuistic

present tense

euphuizes

future tense

will euphuize

perfect tense

has euphuized

continuous tense

is euphuizing

singular

euphuism

positive degree

euphuistic

infinitive

to euphuize

gerund

euphuizing

participle

euphuized

Origin and Evolution of euphuism

First Known Use: 1578 year
Language of Origin: English
Story behind the word: The word 'euphuism' is derived from the name of a character named Euphues in the prose romance 'Euphues: The Anatomy of Wit' by John Lyly, published in 1578.
Evolution of the word: Initially used to describe a style of elaborate and artificial prose characterized by excessive use of literary devices and affected wit, the term 'euphuism' has evolved to also refer to any form of excessively refined or elaborate language or writing.