expletive

1 of 2

noun

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

Examples of expletive in a Sentence

Noun Angry expletives filled the air. Expletives were deleted from the transcript of their conversation.
Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
The duo tweeted at each other earlier this year, after SZA, using an expletive, demanded a new season of the show immediately. Jessica Wang, EW.com, 20 Dec. 2024 But Andre Zachary, Neely’s father, was escorted out of the courtroom after an outburst that included expletives, according to CNN. Cheyanne M. Daniels, The Hill, 9 Dec. 2024 But when the man asked Valdivia for money on the train, the agent said no and the man muttered expletives while walking away, prosecutors said, according to NBC Washington. Antonio Planas, NBC News, 26 Nov. 2024 The man yelled several expletives at the New Heights host, and attempted to guilt him into coming over. Bailey Richards, People.com, 23 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for expletive 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of expletive was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near expletive

Cite this Entry

“Expletive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expletive. Accessed 15 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

expletive

noun
ex·​ple·​tive
ˈek-splət-iv
: an exclamatory word or phrase
especially : swearword

More from Merriam-Webster on expletive

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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