expletive meaning

UK US /ˈɛksplətɪv/ 3 syllables

expletive (noun): profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger.

expletive has 2 meanings in this dictionary.

expletive as a noun

  1. profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger
    • expletives were deleted

    Synonyms: curse, curse word, oath, swearing, swearword, cuss

    Type of: profanity

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

    Type of: utterance

How to pronounce expletive

expletive is pronounced /ˈɛksplətɪv/ in American English. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.

Word lists: words starting with EX · words ending in VE · 9-letter words

More about expletive on Wikipedia.