Expletive vs. Profanity — What's the Difference?

An expletive is a word or phrase inserted into a sentence that is not needed to express the basic meaning of the sentence. It is regarded as semantically null or a placeholder.

Profanity is a socially offensive use of language, which may also be called cursing, cussing or swearing, cuss words (American English vernacular), curse words, swear words, bad words, dirty words, or expletives. Accordingly, profanity is language use that is sometimes deemed impolite, rude, or culturally offensive.

An exclamation or oath, especially one that is profane, vulgar, or obscene.

The condition or quality of being profane.

A word or phrase that does not contribute any meaning but is added only to fill out a sentence or a metrical line.

Abusive, vulgar, or irreverent language.

(Linguistics) A word or other grammatical element that has no meaning but is needed to fill a syntactic position, such as the words it and there in the sentences It's raining and There are many books on the table.

The use of such language.

Added or inserted in order to fill out something, such as a sentence or a metrical line.

(uncountable) The quality of being profane; quality of irreverence, of treating sacred things with contempt.

Serving to fill up, merely for effect, otherwise redundant.

(countable) Obscene, lewd or abusive language.

Marked by expletives (phrase-fillers).

The quality or state of being profane; profaneness; irreverence; esp., the use of profane language; blasphemy.

A profane, vulgar term, notably a curse or obscene oath.

That which is profane; profane language or acts.

(linguistics) A word without meaning added to fill a syntactic position.

Vulgar or irreverent speech or action

(linguistics) A word that adds to the strength of a phrase without affecting its meaning.

Filling up; hence, added merely for the purpose of filling up; superfluous.

A word, letter, or syllable not necessary to the sense, but inserted to fill a vacancy; an oath.

Profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger;

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