profane

[ pruh-feyn, proh- ]
/ prəˈfeɪn, proʊ- /

adjective

verb (used with object), pro·faned, pro·fan·ing.

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

QUIZZES

HEED THE VOX POPULI, AND TAKE THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ!

Test your memory on these verbal firecrackers from the week of June 29 to July 5!
Question 1 of 7
anchorite
a granular metamorphic rock.
a person who has retired to a solitary place for a life of religious seclusion.
a hobble or fetter for a horse or other animal.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of 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

ANTONYMS FOR profane

1 sacred.
2 spiritual.
3 holy.

OTHER WORDS FROM profane

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH profane

lewd obscene pornographic profanatory profane

Words nearby profane

prof., prof. eng., profamily, profanation, profanatory, profane, profanity, profascist, profeminist, profert, profess
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for profanely

British Dictionary definitions for profanely

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

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