Expletive
noun
A swear word or a phrase that is used to express anger or surprise.
He let out an expletive when he hit his thumb with the hammer.
Often appears as...
- utter an expletive
- mutter an expletive
Usage tips
Informal
adjective
Referring to a word or a phrase that does not add any real meaning but is added to fill gaps or follow formal rules.
In the sentence 'It is raining', 'it' is an expletive subject.
Often appears as...
- expletive subject
- expletive insertion
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
noun
A swear word or a phrase that is used to express anger or surprise.
He let out an expletive when he hit his thumb with the hammer.
Often appears as...
- utter an expletive
- mutter an expletive
Usage tips
Informal
adjective
Referring to a word or a phrase that does not add any real meaning but is added to fill gaps or follow formal rules.
In the sentence 'It is raining', 'it' is an expletive subject.
Often appears as...
- expletive subject
- expletive insertion
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Informal Usage
Expletives are informal and usually not suitable in professional or educational settings.
He apologized for using an expletive during the meeting.
Pro Tip 2/3Express Emotions
Expletives can show strong emotions, like surprise or pain, but can be offensive.
She screamed an expletive as she saw the surprise party.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Sensitivity
Be aware of the cultural context, as expletives vary in offensiveness across different societies.
He was unaware that the expletive was harsher in the local language.
Compare with
blasphemycurseepithetimprecationoathobscenityprofanityvulgarity
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Video examples
Medicine's future?...
megabytes expletive cheaper in genomics now the genome cost about a billion dollars about ten years ago when the first one came out we're now approaching essentially a thousand dollar genome probably next year in two years about a hundred dollar genome what are we going to do with hundred dollar genomes and soon we'll have millions of these tests available and that's when it gets
Video examples
How the US should use...
This is how we landed for the most important meeting of the world's leaders in China. The National Security Advisor was actually spewing expletives on the tarmac -- no red carpet, kind of left out the bottom of the plane along with all the media and everybody else.
Video examples
Safari Live - Day 230 PIPE...
old the nerman honey badgers don't care we'll leave the expletive out of it this time you can there's a little bit of cracking
Video examples
Medicine's future?...
megabytes expletive cheaper in genomics now the genome cost about a billion dollars about ten years ago when the first one came out we're now approaching essentially a thousand dollar genome probably next year in two years about a hundred dollar genome what are we going to do with hundred dollar genomes and soon we'll have millions of these tests available and that's when it gets
Video examples
How the US should use...
This is how we landed for the most important meeting of the world's leaders in China. The National Security Advisor was actually spewing expletives on the tarmac -- no red carpet, kind of left out the bottom of the plane along with all the media and everybody else.
Video examples
Safari Live - Day 230 PIPE...
old the nerman honey badgers don't care we'll leave the expletive out of it this time you can there's a little bit of cracking
Example 1 of 3
Quote examples
Greg Rutherford
British Athlete
I drive relatively fast - within the remits of the law, obviously - but I struggle with people who do stupid things on the road. I have a massive urge to shout expletives at them.
Quote examples
Greg Rutherford
British Athlete
I drive relatively fast - within the remits of the law, obviously - but I struggle with people who do stupid things on the road. I have a massive urge to shout expletives at them.
Example 1 of 1
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