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expletive

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The definition of an expletive is a crude or obscene expression, or an unnecessary word or phrase used to fill space in a sentence for grammar or rhythm purposes.

(noun)

An example of an expletive is saying "damn it."
An example of an expletive is adding "it is" in the sentence "time for us to eat."

See expletive in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

an oath or exclamation, esp. an obscenity
a word, phrase, etc. not needed for the sense but used merely to fill out a sentence or metrical line, for grammar, rhythm, balance, etc.: there in “there is nothing left” is an expletive
Rare anything serving as a filler

Origin: LL expletivus, serving to fill < L expletus, pp. of explere, to fill < ex-, out, up + plere, to fill: see full

adjective

used to fill out a sentence, line, etc.

also expletory

See expletive in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

An exclamation or oath, especially one that is profane, vulgar, or obscene.
a. A word or phrase that does not contribute any meaning but is added only to fill out a sentence or a metrical line.
b. Linguistics A word or other grammatical element that has no meaning but is needed to fill a syntactic position, such as the words it and there in the sentences It's raining and There are many books on the table.

adjective

Added or inserted in order to fill out something, such as a sentence or a metrical line.

Origin:

Origin: From Late Latin explētīvus, serving to fill out

Origin: , from Latin explētus

Origin: , past participle of explēre, to fill out

Origin: : ex-, ex-

Origin: + plēre, to fill; see pelə-¹ in Indo-European roots

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expletive in a sentence