expletive
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1ex·ple·tive
noun \ˈek-splə-tiv\Definition of EXPLETIVE
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 (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
See Examples of EXPLETIVE
- Angry expletives filled the air.
- Expletives were deleted from the transcript of their conversation.
First Known Use of EXPLETIVE
1612
Related to EXPLETIVE
- Synonyms
- curse, cuss, cussword, dirty word, swearword, four-letter word, obscenity, profanity, swear, vulgarism
Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms
2expletive
adjectiveDefinition of EXPLETIVE
1
: serving to fill up <expletive phrases>
2
: marked by the use of expletives
Origin of EXPLETIVE
Late Latin expletivus, from Latin expletus, past participle of explēre to fill out, from ex- + plēre to fill — more at full
First Known Use: 1666
Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms
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