profane

[ pruh-feyn, proh- ]

adjective

1. characterized by irreverence or contempt for God or sacred principles or things; irreligious.

   Synonyms: ungodly, impious, sacrilegious, blasphemous

   Antonyms: sacred

2. not devoted to holy or religious purposes; unconsecrated; secular ( sacred ).

   Synonyms: temporal

   Antonyms: spiritual

3. unholy; heathen; pagan:

   profane rites.

   Synonyms: unhallowed

   Antonyms: holy

4. not initiated into religious rites or mysteries, as persons.
5. common or vulgar.

   Synonyms: base, mean, low

verb (used with object)

, pro·faned, pro·fan·ing.

1. to misuse (anything that should be held in reverence or respect); employ basely or unworthily; defile; debase.
2. to treat (anything sacred) with irreverence or contempt; violate the sanctity of:

   to profane a shrine.

   Synonyms: desecrate

profane

/ ˌprɒfəˈneɪʃən; -trɪ; prəˈfænətərɪ; prəˈfeɪn /

adjective

1. having or indicating contempt, irreverence, or disrespect for a divinity or something sacred
2. not designed or used for religious purposes; secular
3. not initiated into the inner mysteries or sacred rites
4. vulgar, coarse, or blasphemous

   profane language

verb

1. to treat or use (something sacred) with irreverence
2. to put to an unworthy or improper use

Derived Forms

• profanatory, adjective
• proˈfanely, adverb
• proˈfaner, noun
• profanation, noun
• proˈfaneness, noun

Other Words From

• pro·fanely adverb
• pro·faneness noun
• pro·faner noun
• half-pro·fane adjective
• nonpro·fane adjective
• nonpro·fanely adverb
• nonpro·faneness noun
• semi·pro·fane adjective
• semi·pro·fanely adverb
• semi·pro·faneness noun
• unpro·fane adjective
• unpro·fanely adverb
• unpro·faneness noun
• unpro·faned adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of profane¹

1350–1400; (adj.) < Latin profānus literally, before (outside of ) the temple; replacing Middle English prophane < Medieval Latin prophānus desecrated ( pro- ¹, fane ); (v.) < Latin profānāre, derivative of profānus; replacing Middle English prophanen < Medieval Latin prophānāre to desecrate

Word History and Origins

Origin of profane¹

C15: from Latin profānus outside the temple, from pro- ¹+ fānum temple

Example Sentences

Supporters and critics of a Moreno Valley history teacher who was placed on leave after a profane anti-Trump rant in class clashed over his fate at Tuesday’s Moreno Valley Unified District board meeting.

From Los Angeles Times

I became newly aware of you thanks to Twitter a few years ago… one journalist commented on how profane you were, in a positive way.

From Los Angeles Times

“Judge Bertoli made derogatory remarks about public officials, engaged in rhetoric that inflamed the passions of the community, and made profane remarks,” the commission wrote.

From Los Angeles Times

Shortly after Bradshaw broke up with Ali, he launched into profane and violent tirades via text messages, according to her restraining order application.

From Los Angeles Times

Johnson tried to steer back to his talking points, claiming the “main takeaway” from the profane rally was whether voters are better off than they were four years ago.

From Salon

Related Words

• debase
• pervert