taboo deformation

noun

A modification of a word or phrase by way of euphemism to avoid a taboo (as in the case of a minced oath or due to the belief that mentioning a dangerous creature's name may cause that creature to appear).

Ask AI about this wordChatGPTClaudePerplexityGoogle AIGrok

Meanings

nountaboo deformation (countable and uncountable, plural taboo deformations)

plural taboo deformations

  1. countableuncountablehuman sciencesA modification of a word or phrase by way of euphemism to avoid a taboo (as in the case of a minced oath or due to the belief that mentioning a dangerous creature's name may cause that creature to appear).
Cite this entry
APA

taboo deformation. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/taboo%20deformation

MLA

“taboo deformation.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/taboo%20deformation. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “taboo deformation,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/taboo%20deformation.

Source: taboo deformation on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.