expletive

1 of 2

noun

ex·ple·tive ˈek-splə-tiv How to pronounce expletive (audio)

: a syllable, word, or phrase inserted to fill a vacancy (as in a sentence or a metrical line) without adding to the sense

especially : a word (such as it in "make it clear which you prefer") that occupies the position of the subject or object of a verb in normal English word order and anticipates a subsequent word or phrase that supplies the needed meaningful content

: an exclamatory word or phrase

especially : one that is obscene or profane

: one that serves to fill out or as a filling

expletive

2 of 2

adjective

: serving to fill up

expletive phrases

: marked by the use of expletives

Example Sentences

Noun Angry expletives filled the air. Expletives were deleted from the transcript of their conversation.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The expletive became a rallying cry for Ukrainians and their international allies — a symbol of the willingness of Ukrainian fighters to face down Russian aggression.

Claire Parker, Washington Post, 30 June 2022 One relative responded to the news with a Russian expletive.

Catherine Belton, Washington Post, 19 Aug. 2022 One relative responded to the news with a Russian expletive.

Greg Miller And Catherine Belton, Anchorage Daily News, 19 Aug. 2022 McLaren's Daniel Ricciardo showed some of his old form with a great double overtake on Ocon and Alonso approaching midway through the race, celebrating with an exuberant expletive.

Jerome Pugmire, ajc, 31 July 2022 According to prosecutors, Gill called former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani an expletive after smacking him on his back inside the ShopRite grocery store, located in the Charleston neighborhood, on Sunday.

Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 27 June 2022 The expletive was bleeped during the telecast, but her middle-finger gesture was shown.

Ryan Gajewski, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 June 2022 Giuliani, 78, told the publication the man called him an expletive during the contact.

Dennis Romero, NBC News, 27 June 2022 James’s longtime friend and business partner Maverick Carter said that TD Garden is one of the only NBA arenas in which fans wear shirts that include James’s name with an expletive.

Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 16 July 2022 See More

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English explatyvis (plural) "word serving an expletive function," borrowed from Late Latin explētīva (feminine) or explētīvum (neuter), noun derivatives of explētīvus "(of words, especially conjunctions) filling out a clause without changing the essential meaning" — more at expletive entry 2

Adjective

Middle English expletyf "(of a conjunction) filling out the meaning of a following clause," borrowed from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French expletif "serving to fill out a sentence, redundant," borrowed from Late Latin explētīvus "(of words, especially conjunctions) filling out a clause without changing the essential meaning," from Latin explētus, past participle of explēre "to fill up, satisfy, make good" (from ex- ex- entry 1 + plēre "to fill") + -īvus -ive — more at full entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

单词	expletives
释义	expletive 1 of 2 noun ex·ple·tive ˈek-splə-tiv 1 a : a syllable, word, or phrase inserted to fill a vacancy (as in a sentence or a metrical line) without adding to the sense especially : a word (such as it in "make it clear which you prefer") that occupies the position of the subject or object of a verb in normal English word order and anticipates a subsequent word or phrase that supplies the needed meaningful content b : an exclamatory word or phrase especially : one that is obscene or profane 2 : one that serves to fill out or as a filling expletive 2 of 2 adjective 1 : serving to fill up expletive phrases 2 : marked by the use of expletives Synonyms Noun curse cuss cussword dirty word four-letter word obscenity profanity swear swearword vulgarism See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Noun Angry expletives filled the air. Expletives were deleted from the transcript of their conversation. Recent Examples on the Web Noun The expletive became a rallying cry for Ukrainians and their international allies — a symbol of the willingness of Ukrainian fighters to face down Russian aggression. Claire Parker, Washington Post, 30 June 2022 One relative responded to the news with a Russian expletive. Catherine Belton, Washington Post, 19 Aug. 2022 One relative responded to the news with a Russian expletive. Greg Miller And Catherine Belton, Anchorage Daily News, 19 Aug. 2022 McLaren's Daniel Ricciardo showed some of his old form with a great double overtake on Ocon and Alonso approaching midway through the race, celebrating with an exuberant expletive. Jerome Pugmire, ajc, 31 July 2022 According to prosecutors, Gill called former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani an expletive after smacking him on his back inside the ShopRite grocery store, located in the Charleston neighborhood, on Sunday. Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 27 June 2022 The expletive was bleeped during the telecast, but her middle-finger gesture was shown. Ryan Gajewski, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 June 2022 Giuliani, 78, told the publication the man called him an expletive during the contact. Dennis Romero, NBC News, 27 June 2022 James’s longtime friend and business partner Maverick Carter said that TD Garden is one of the only NBA arenas in which fans wear shirts that include James’s name with an expletive. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 16 July 2022 See More Word History Etymology Noun Middle English explatyvis (plural) "word serving an expletive function," borrowed from Late Latin explētīva (feminine) or explētīvum (neuter), noun derivatives of explētīvus "(of words, especially conjunctions) filling out a clause without changing the essential meaning" — more at expletive entry 2 Adjective Middle English expletyf "(of a conjunction) filling out the meaning of a following clause," borrowed from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French expletif "serving to fill out a sentence, redundant," borrowed from Late Latin explētīvus "(of words, especially conjunctions) filling out a clause without changing the essential meaning," from Latin explētus, past participle of explēre "to fill up, satisfy, make good" (from ex- ex- entry 1 + plēre "to fill") + -īvus -ive — more at full entry 1 First Known Use Noun 15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a Adjective 15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 expletives noun plural of expletive as in curses a disrespectful or indecent word or expression unleashed a slew of expletives upon losing the tennis match Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance curses profanities obscenities swearwords cusswords vulgarisms swears epithets languages cusses dirty words names imprecations four-letter words maledictions execrations oaths scurrilities bawdries
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expletive

noun

adjective

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

noun