PoliticsJuly 4, 2026
expletive
/ˈɛksplətɪv/
Definition
An offensive or obscene word, typically used to express strong emotion.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin 'expletivus,' meaning 'serving to fill out.' It originally referred to a word added purely to fill a grammatical gap, but evolved to describe 'filling' a sentence with profane or coarse language.
In the news
The article uses the term to describe a headline regarding a speech that contained vulgar language. It highlights how the speaker used aggressive or coarse rhetoric to make a political point.
Democrats Are Seizing on Trump’s Soaring Wealth as a Campaign Opportunity
Read the full article ↗WSJ