expletive Definition
- 1an oath or swear word
- 2a word or phrase used to fill out a sentence or a line of verse without adding to the sense
Using expletive: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "expletive" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
He muttered an expletive under his breath.
Example
The use of expletives is not allowed in this establishment.
Example
The song's lyrics were filled with expletives.
Example
She used an expletive to emphasize her frustration.
expletive Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with expletive
a phrase used to indicate that a word or phrase has been removed, usually because it is offensive or inappropriate
Example
The transcript contained several instances of 'expletive deleted'.
the insertion of an expletive into a word or phrase for emphasis or humor, such as 'abso-bloody-lutely'
Example
The comedian's routine was filled with expletive infixation.
a sentence structure that includes an expletive, such as 'there is' or 'it is', used to introduce a clause or sentence
Example
The expletive construction 'there is' can be replaced with the more concise 'is' in some cases.
Origins of expletive
from Latin 'expletivus', meaning 'filling out'
Summary: expletive in Brief
The term 'expletive' [ˈɛksplətɪv] refers to either an oath or swear word, or a word or phrase used to fill out a sentence or line of verse without adding to the sense. It is often used for emphasis or humor, as in 'abso-bloody-lutely.' The phrase 'expletive deleted' indicates that a word or phrase has been removed, while 'expletive construction' refers to a sentence structure that includes an expletive.
