profanity

[pruh-fan-i-tee, proh-]

noun

plural

profanities 

1. the quality of being profane; irreverence.

   Synonyms: sacrilege, blasphemy

2. profane conduct or language; a profane act or utterance.

   Synonyms: curse, malediction, sacrilege, blasphemy

3. obscenity.

profanity

/ prəˈfænɪtɪ /

noun

1. the state or quality of being profane

2. vulgar or irreverent action, speech, etc

Other Word Forms

• nonprofanity noun
• semiprofanity noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of profanity¹

From the Late Latin word profānitās, dating back to 1600–10. See profane, -ity

Example Sentences

Unsurprisingly, given Susan’s bluntness and profanity—Mr. Coen almost seems to be writing in imitation of David Mamet, but with the women as the foul-mouthed aggressors—the evening doesn’t end with a gauzy clinch.

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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.

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Drug Enforcement Administration when a supervisor from another office stormed in hurling profanities.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The parents whose behavior was so crass that Los Angeles school consultant Sandy Eiges added a clause in her contract stating that the use of profanity could terminate their working relationship.

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The reigning Masters champion didn’t take such treatment quietly, clapping back at times with profanity or gestures of his own.

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Related Words

• four-letter word 
• obscenity 
• swearing www.thesaurus.com