ex ‧ ple ‧ tive /ɪkˈspliːtɪv $ ˈeksplətɪv/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1600-1700 ; Language: Late Latin ; Origin: expletivus , from Latin explere 'to fill out' ; because the words fill a space in a sentence without adding to the meaning ]
formal a rude word that you use when you are angry or in pain, for example ‘shit’ SYN swear word