expletive
/ɪkˈspliːtɪv/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈeksplətɪv/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈek-splə-tiv/ (ame, mw)
expletive — noun
- expletivesingular
- expletivesplural
1. an offensive expression that people use in speech or writing when pain, anger, o
an offensive expression that people use in speech or writing when pain, anger, or shock suddenly rises.
When the hammer hit his thumb, Brian let out a sharp expletive.
let out an expletive
The referee warned Salma after she shouted an expletive at the crowd.
shout an expletive at + person/group
Imani wrote the expletive on the locker door with red chalk.
Our teacher asked Daniel to replace the expletive with a calmer word.
- swear word
the most direct everyday equivalent
- curse word
common informal term, especially in North American English
- profanity
more formal and often uncountable
- polite expression
shows restraint instead of offensive language
文法句型
let out + an expletive
shout/use/write + an expletive
用法筆記
Often appears after verbs such as 'say', 'shout', 'use', or 'let out'. Distinguish from sense 2: sense 1 is the rude word itself, while sense 2 is the printed label that shows the rude word was removed.
常見錯誤
2. a label in a report or quotation that shows a rude word was removed instead of p
a label in a report or quotation that shows a rude word was removed instead of printed.
In the court transcript, the threat appeared as '[expletive]' beside his name.
appear as [expletive] in a transcript
The magazine printed 'expletive deleted' before the actor's angry reply.
Our editor changed the slur to an expletive before posting the interview online.
The police summary used an expletive where the suspect had cursed the guard.
- full quotation
shows the original wording with nothing removed
文法句型
appear as + [expletive]
replace + insult/slur + with + expletive
用法筆記
Usually appears in journalism, transcripts, or official reports where the original insult is not printed. Unlike sense 1, this use points to missing language rather than the spoken rude word itself.
3. a word or short phrase added to complete a sentence or the beat of a line withou
a word or short phrase added to complete a sentence or the beat of a line without carrying meaning by itself.
The professor said the opening 'there' acts as an expletive in that sentence.
act as an expletive
Lan underlined 'it' and labeled it an expletive on her grammar sheet.
label it an expletive
Poets once added an expletive to keep the rhythm of a line steady.
In the sample clause, 'do' is treated as an expletive by some grammarians.
- filler
broader term that is less technical
- dummy word
used in grammar for a word with little meaning of its own
- padding
stresses the extra length or space being filled
- content word
carries its own lexical meaning
文法句型
act as + an expletive
label + word + as + expletive
用法筆記
Rare outside grammar, rhetoric, or literary discussion. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is about a structurally added word, not offensive language.
expletive — adjective
- expletivepositive
- more expletivecomparative
- most expletivesuperlative
1. full of rude words or marked by repeated swearing.
full of rude words or marked by repeated swearing.
The coach gave an expletive speech after the team lost again.
expletive + speech
Her expletive voicemail ended before the main complaint even started.
The driver launched an expletive rant at the blocked railway crossing.
Viewers complained about the expletive lyrics in the late-night performance.
- profane
more formal and often used in warnings or criticism
- foul-mouthed
usually describes a person rather than a speech or text
- obscene
can be stronger and may include sexual offensiveness
文法句型
expletive + speech/language/rant/message
用法筆記
Usually describes speech, lyrics, messages, or language rather than people. Distinguish from noun sense 1: here expletive describes language that contains swearing, instead of naming one rude word.
2. used to describe a sound, word, or phrase that is added only to fill space, rhyt
used to describe a sound, word, or phrase that is added only to fill space, rhythm, or structure.
The scholar called the extra 'oh' an expletive syllable in the song.
expletive syllable
In the poem, an expletive phrase pads the line without changing the image.
expletive phrase
Her notes describe the opening there as an expletive element in the clause.
The editor removed two expletive words that only kept the rhythm even.
- padding
plain term for extra material that fills space
- ornamental
suggests decoration more than grammar or meter
- meaningful
adds real semantic content instead of filling space
文法句型
expletive + syllable/phrase/element
用法筆記
Rare and mainly technical in grammar or literary analysis. Unlike adjective sense 1, this use is about structural filling, not swearing.