noun
-
the state or quality of being profane
-
vulgar or irreverent action, speech, etc
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of profanity
From the Late Latin word profānitās, dating back to 1600–10. See profane, -ity
Explanation
Profanity is a type of language that includes dirty words and ideas. Swear words, obscene gestures, and naughty jokes are all considered profanity. You know those four-letter words you're not supposed to say? They're profanity: language that's vulgar and obscene. R-rated movies and cable stations like HBO have a lot of profanity, but you won't hear it on a station like NBC or ABC. Profanity tends to be about off-color subjects, like sex and going to the bathroom. Everyone probably spews some profanity at some point, but you better be careful about who's listening.
Vocabulary lists containing profanity
"Only Daughter" and "Calling a Foul"
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Odd One Out
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The Red Pony
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Adam Christing is best known as the founder of Clean Comedians, a group that includes Nate Bargatze and specializes in stand-up routines that are free of profanity and dirty jokes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026
Critics argued that memes, profanity and irreverent jokes trivialised a campaign fighting to strengthen India's education system.
From BBC ● Jul. 29, 2026
Speaking to the Post, historian Julian Zelizer called Trump historically unique in his use of profanity and how it “meshes with a very aggressive presidency” and a high-dominant leadership style.
From Salon ● May 26, 2026
More recent performers have included this past year's headliner Kendrick Lamar, the rapper who cut out profanity but still performed a viral diss track of his rival Drake.
From Barron's ● Oct. 22, 2025
Frank barked, which Leo figured was probably severe profanity for him.
From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan
When one of China's biggest stand-up comedians opened his show with a joke about the extraordinarily long rule of the country's leader Xi Jinping, it drew a cheer, alongside a smattering of approving profanities.
From BBC ● Jul. 1, 2026
Still, Fetterman — known for his blunt and irreverent talk — generally confined his profanities to his writings on social media when describing his disdain for, say, Pennsylvania’s relatively low minimum wage.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 25, 2024
So as I talked about in the book, with respect to coarse words and profanities, there was actually an Obscenities Act.
From Salon ● Oct. 22, 2023
In addition to profanities and other inappropriate words, The Intercept says it would also include “unfair,” “master,” “slave,” “injustice,” “ethics,” “diversity,” “fairness,” “pay raise,” and phrases like “This is dumb” or “This is concerning.”
From The Verge ● Apr. 4, 2022
Sir," cried Mr. Thorpe, turning suddenly round, and severely confronting Mr. Goodworth, "once for all, I must most respectfully insist on being spared for the future any open profanities in conversation, even from your lips.
From Hide and Seek by Wilkie Collins
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
