expletive

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger
  2. noun a word or phrase conveying no independent meaning but added to fill out a sentence or metrical line

Etymology

From Late Latin explētīvus (“serving to fill out”), from Latin explētus, the perfect passive participle of expleō (“fill out”), itself from ex (“out, completely”) + *pleō (“fill”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

curse, curse word, oath, swearing, swearword, cuss

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