profane

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

OTHER WORDS FROM profane

pro·fane·ly, adverbpro·fane·ness, nounpro·fan·er, nounhalf-pro·fane, adjective

non·pro·fane, adjectivenon·pro·fane·ly, adverbnon·pro·fane·ness, nounsem·i·pro·fane, adjectivesem·i·pro·fane·ly, adverbsem·i·pro·fane·ness, nounun·pro·fane, adjectiveun·pro·fane·ly, adverbun·pro·fane·ness, nounun·pro·faned, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH profane

lewd, obscene, pornographic, profanatory, profane

Words nearby profane

pro-European, prof, profamily, profanation, profanatory, profane, profanity, profascist, profeminist, Prof. Eng., profert

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use profane in a sentence

In the education reform world, those of us who can retreat to our own sacred places sometimes expect to be praised for the simple reason that we take notice of the profane at all.
The sacred and the profane: A former D.C. charter school board member calls for change|Valerie Strauss|September 23, 2021|Washington Post
Warner’s male managers and colleagues referred to her with a profane epithet, as well as an “idiot,” and a “nobody,” she alleges in her suit.
Amazon pledges to investigate discrimination after internal petition wins backing of hundreds of employees|Jay Greene|July 23, 2021|Washington Post
The Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled for a Pennsylvania cheerleader whose profane off-campus rant cost her a spot on the squad, saying the First Amendment rights of public school students are not to be easily cast aside.
Supreme Court sides with high school cheerleader in free-speech dispute over profane Snapchat rant|Robert Barnes|June 23, 2021|Washington Post
That word “denialism” is particularly profane, with its unsubtle invocation of the Holocaust.
Why It Was Right to Question Rolling Stone’s U-VA Rape Story|Michael Moynihan|December 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Hers was a warmer, less profane speech, again in memory of a much-missed buddy.
I Was There: Inside Joan Rivers’ Funeral|Tim Teeman|September 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
His novel The Last Magazine, published posthumously this month, is just like him: blistering, fun, insightful, and profane.
Michael Hastings' Hunger for Life|Jack Gray|June 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Charming, profane, alcoholic television anchorman becomes local hero and changes the news business.
Detroit’s Real-Life Ron Burgundy|Justin Miller|December 31, 2013|DAILY BEAST
From the divine to the profane, what we mean when we say that potent word.
What is a Genius?|Nick Romeo|November 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Joan Henry Ursinus died; a Lutheran divine, eminent for his learning in sacred and profane history.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
Those who hold the truth cannot enter into it with the infidel, the unbeliever, the erroneous or profane.
The Ordinance of Covenanting|John Cunningham
That dwell in sepulchres, and sleep in the temple of idols: that eat swine's flesh, and profane broth is in their vessels.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various
And they shall teach my people the difference between holy and profane, and shew them how to discern between clean and unclean.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various
Baltasar's profane banquet: his sentence is denounced by a handwriting on the wall, which Daniel reads and interprets.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various

British Dictionary definitions for profane

profane

/ (prəˈfeɪn) /

adjective

having or indicating contempt, irreverence, or disrespect for a divinity or something sacred

not designed or used for religious purposes; secular

not initiated into the inner mysteries or sacred rites

vulgar, coarse, or blasphemousprofane language

verb (tr)

to treat or use (something sacred) with irreverence

to put to an unworthy or improper use

Derived forms of profane

profanation (ˌprɒfəˈneɪʃən), nounprofanatory (prəˈfænətərɪ, -trɪ), adjectiveprofanely, adverbprofaneness, noun

profaner, noun

Word Origin for profane

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

profane

OTHER WORDS FOR profane

OPPOSITES FOR profane

Origin of profane

OTHER WORDS FROM profane

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH profane

Words nearby profane

Words related to profane

How to use profane in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for profane

Derived forms of profane

Word Origin for profane