EXPLETIVE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does expletive mean? 

• EXPLETIVE (noun)
  The noun EXPLETIVE has 2 senses:

1. profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger

2. a word or phrase conveying no independent meaning but added to fill out a sentence or metrical line

  Familiarity information: EXPLETIVE used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• EXPLETIVE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

curse; curse word; cuss; expletive; oath; swearing; swearword

Context example:

expletives were deleted

Hypernyms ("expletive" is a kind of...):

profanity (vulgar or irreverent speech or action)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A word or phrase conveying no independent meaning but added to fill out a sentence or metrical line

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("expletive" is a kind of...):

utterance; vocalization (the use of uttered sounds for auditory communication)

 Context examples 

The oath left my lips in my excitement—the first, I do believe, in my life, unless “trouble it,” an expletive of my youth, be accounted an oath.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Not that he was calling upon God; it was a mere expletive, but it came from his soul.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)