especially : a word (such as it in "make it clear which you prefer") that occupies the position of the subject or object of a verb in normal English word order and anticipates a subsequent word or phrase that supplies the needed meaningful content
: an exclamatory word or phrase especially : one that is obscene or profane : one that serves to fill out or as a filling https://merriam.atlassian.net/browse/MWSITE-9211 -->Noun Quotes--> Extra Examples--> Angry expletives filled the air. Expletives were deleted from the transcript of their conversation.
Recent Examples on the WebCome on, that’s (expletive) (expletive), throwing me out of that game. — Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 8 Aug. 2024 Wallen found himself at the center of controversy in 2021 when he was caught on video using the N-word and other expletives. — Zack Sharf, Variety, 3 July 2024 Webb raised his arms in disbelief and let out an expletive when umpires ruled replay confirmed that Schmitt hadn’t secured the ball enough to even retire the lead runner. — Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2024 Outside the Thunder-Rode motorcyle accessories shop on Route 66 in Kingman, Ariz., owner Jack Alexander flies a flag with an anti-Biden expletive. — Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for expletive
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'expletive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Middle English explatyvis (plural) "word serving an expletive function," borrowed from Late Latin explētīva (feminine) or explētīvum (neuter), noun derivatives of explētīvus "(of words, especially conjunctions) filling out a clause without changing the essential meaning" — more at expletive entry 2
Middle English expletyf "(of a conjunction) filling out the meaning of a following clause," borrowed from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French expletif "serving to fill out a sentence, redundant," borrowed from Late Latin explētīvus "(of words, especially conjunctions) filling out a clause without changing the essential meaning," from Latin explētus, past participle of explēre "to fill up, satisfy, make good" (from ex- ex- entry 1 + plēre "to fill") + -īvus -ive — more at full entry 1
First Known Use15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1