expletive

[ ek-spli-tiv ]

noun

1. an interjectory word or expression, frequently profane; an exclamatory oath.
2. a syllable, word, or phrase serving to fill out.
3. Grammar. a word considered as regularly filling the syntactic position of another, as it in It is his duty to go, or there in There is nothing here.

adjective

1. Also ex·ple·to·ry [] added merely to fill out a sentence or line, give emphasis, etc.:

   Expletive remarks padded the speech.

expletive

/ ɪkˈspliːtɪv /

noun

1. an exclamation or swearword; an oath or a sound expressing an emotional reaction rather than any particular meaning
2. any syllable, word, or phrase conveying no independent meaning, esp one inserted in a line of verse for the sake of the metre

adjective

1. expressing no particular meaning, esp when filling out a line of verse

expletive

1. Any exclamation or oath, especially one that is obscene or profane, as in “Dammit, I forgot to buy the milk.”

Notes

The Oval Office tapes of President Richard Nixon , released during the investigation of the Watergate scandal, made famous the phrase “expletive deleted,” which appeared frequently in expurgated transcripts of the tapes.

Derived Forms

• exˈpletively, adverb

Other Words From

• exple·tive·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of expletive¹

1600–10; < Late Latin explētīvus serving to fill out, equivalent to Latin explēt ( us ) filled, filled up (past participle of explēre; explement ) + -īvus -ive

Word History and Origins

Origin of expletive¹

C17: from Late Latin explētīvus for filling out, from explēre, from plēre to fill

Example Sentences

The walls were covered in spray-painted expletives that mentioned Myers by name, photos show.

From Washington Post

Case in point—when Teresa Giudice, the only current housewife remaining from the first season, flipped a table in an expletive-laden rage, it became more than just juicy fodder for the show, but instead a watershed moment in reality TV history.

From Time

She explodes again and again, slapping herself, screaming obscenities, writing expletives, banging her face against a wall.

From Washington Post

Barnett insisted he didn’t steal the mail, telling a reporter that he left a quarter and note with an expletive and his nickname “Bigo” on the desk.

From Washington Post

I remember listening to Walter Isaacson tell me that on the day that … the day before he died, his daughter came in, and he’d made some expletive about how she looked.

From Ozy

However, Martin redeemed himself when correctly guessing a fake expletive-laden clue read by Meyers.

From The Daily Beast

Kaufman returns after the break to deliver an expletive-ridden tirade against Lawler.

From The Daily Beast

Watch him unleash a magnificent, expletive-ridden rant—and be grateful for the Internet, where this harangue will live forever.

From The Daily Beast

So be careful what you say and what you do, because the Kinect, for better and worse, really is [expletive] watching you.

From The Daily Beast

Now, it seems, Hamas is being struck from the list of expletive targets.

From The Daily Beast

The expletive that it now behoves us to consider is one which has never been adequately treated in a book.

From Project Gutenberg

Probably few persons who allow themselves the enjoyment of that rather jocular expletive, the deuce!

From Project Gutenberg

There is in Madrid a "Calle Jesus," and the sacred name, used as a common expletive, is heard on all sides.

From Project Gutenberg

He blurted out his favorite expletive, lighted a new cigar, walked his room, and chafed like a caged tiger.

From Project Gutenberg

The other use is a kind of pious expletive, intending “I must endure it,” “I am the slave of a higher power.”

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• curse