An expletive is a rude word or expression such as 'Damn!' which you say when you are annoyed, excited, or in pain.
[formal]
Synonyms: swear word, curse, obscenity, oath More Synonyms of expletive
expletive in British English
(ɪkˈspliːtɪv)
noun
1.
an exclamation or swearword; an oath or a sound expressing an emotional reaction rather than any particular meaning
2.
any syllable, word, or phrase conveying no independent meaning, esp one inserted in a line of verse for the sake of the metre
adjective also: expletory (ɪkˈspliːtərɪ)
3.
expressing no particular meaning, esp when filling out a line of verse
Derived forms
expletively (exˈpletively)
adverb
Word origin
C17: from Late Latin explētīvus for filling out, from explēre, from plēre to fill
expletive in American English
(ˈɛksplətɪv)
noun
1.
an oath or exclamation, esp. an obscenity
2.
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
3. Rare
anything serving as a filler
adjective
4.
used to fill out a sentence, line, etc.
: also ˈexpleˌtory (ˈɛkspləˌtɔri)
Word origin
LL expletivus, serving to fill < L expletus, pp. of explere, to fill < ex-, out, up + plere, to fill: see full1
Examples of 'expletive' in a sentence
expletive
He muttered expletives on court towards the end but quickly apologised.
The Sun (2006)
Simply stand there wafting an item backwards and forwards while kicking the machine and shouting mild expletives.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
This is partly the effect of his Scottish accent, which makes expletives sound almost cosy.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
He said some wrong things and used expletives, but he would also acknowledge his failures and limitations and that is one reason why his popularity grew.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
But I'm sorry to say that he still uses expletives!
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
(noun)
Definition
an exclamation or swearword expressing emotion rather than meaning
He muttered an expletive under his breath.
Synonyms
swear word
curse
She shot him an angry look and a curse.
obscenity
They shouted obscenities at us as we passed.
oath
Weller let out a foul oath and hurled himself upon him.
four-letter word
cuss (informal)
profanity
Our ears were assailed by curses and profanities.
rude word
Additional synonyms
in the sense of curse
Definition
a profane or obscene expression, usually of anger
She shot him an angry look and a curse.
Synonyms
oath,
obscenity,
blasphemy,
expletive,
profanity,
imprecation,
swearword
in the sense of oath
Definition
an offensive or blasphemous expression
Weller let out a foul oath and hurled himself upon him.