expletive Definition
ex·pletive (eks′plə tiv)
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
Etymology: 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.
expletive Synonyms
expletive Usage Examples
Converse of object
- mutter: As I looked at him and muttered a few expletives, Ken realized his air was off as well.
- delete: The expletive deleted thing talked to me all the way to the office.
- shout: He stomps across the stage, as well as shouting expletives, which now days just doesn't shock anyone.
- contain: Many complainants said they believed the program contained 8,000 expletives.
- use: I can still hear Henry Caldwell's irate voice coming down my cans, using some very choice expletives!
- include: Another problem I found is the decision to include the occasional expletive ( on the track ' Impulse ' ).
Adjective modifier
- mild: You can, for example, ban all sites that contain even the mildest expletives but allow ones with a bit of fighting.
- few: As I looked at him and muttered a few expletives, Ken realized his air was off as well.
- various: These aren't my thoughts but the guide's - a reference to teenage experiences and various expletives.
- more: The N64 version got away with a lot more expletives than the Xbox version.
- occasional: We listened to the crack of rock and the occasional expletive as a piece came too close for comfort.
- sexual: This includes the protection of children from exposure to strong language, sexual imagery and sexual expletives.
Modifies a noun
- subject: The -x index indicates that the clause is linked to an expletive subject.
- approach: The two main approaches to the structure of clefts are known as the extraposition approach and the expletive approach.
Noun used with modifier
- choice: I can still hear Henry Caldwell's irate voice coming down my cans, using some very choice expletives!
- four-letter: Callers reporting faults to NTL were greeted with a recorded message, in a Geordie accent, that was strewn with four-letter expletives.
Browse dictionary entries near expletive
- ‹ explant
- ‹ explanatory
- ‹ explanation
- ‹ explained
- ‹ explainable
- ‹ explain
- ‹ expiry month
- ‹ expiry
- ‹ expire
- ‹ expiratory

