expletive

noun
UK: /ɪkˈspliːtɪv/
US: /ˈekspliːtɪv/

  1. A rude or offensive word or expression.

    1. He used an expletive when he hit his thumb with the hammer.
    2. The comedian's routine was full of expletives that offended some audience members.

  2. A word or phrase serving to fill out a sentence, typically grammatically unnecessary.

    1. The sentence began with 'it is', where 'it' is an expletive.
    2. In the phrase 'there is', the word 'there' functions as an expletive subject.

Synonyms

profanity swear word filler oath curse
expletive adjective

  1. Used as an intensifier; a filler word or phrase, often considered unnecessary or meaningless.

    1. The speaker used an expletive phrase to emphasize his point.
    2. The professor noted the student's reliance on expletive constructions to pad the essay.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "expletive" in English means: A rude or offensive word or expression., A word or phrase serving to fill out a sentence, typically grammatically unnecessary..

The phonetic transcription of "expletive" is /ɪkˈspliːtɪv/ in British English and /ˈekspliːtɪv/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "expletive": profanity, swear word, filler, oath, curse.

Example usage of "expletive": "He used an expletive when he hit his thumb with the hammer.". More examples on the page.