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 of expletive

Noun

• curse
• swear
• language
• profanity
• epithet
• vulgarism
• cuss

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

Noun

One friend uttered an expletive after taking a bite of the super-tasty, uber-tender steak, and soon after, the meat disappeared. —Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 19 Mar. 2026

The footage, which has been verified by outlets including the BBC, shows the missile landing and Sweeney hitting the deck in a shower of shrapnel before uttering expletives. —Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2026

Paljusevic reportedly whispered expletives to the father’s body at a public funeral thereafter and FaceTimed the friend. —Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 17 Mar. 2026

Díaz-Canel is one of the regime’s most unpopular figures, earning a popular expletive as a nickname on the island. —Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2026

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

Kids Definition

expletive

noun

ex·​ple·​tive

ˈek-splət-iv

: an exclamatory word or phrase

especially : swearword