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

/ prəˈfænətərɪ; -trɪ; ˌprɒfəˈneɪʃən; 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

Inside, Norteño music blends with the scent of tacos, and an announcer calls the races in profane Spanish.

From Washington Post

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.

From 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.

From 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.

From Washington Post

That word “denialism” is particularly profane, with its unsubtle invocation of the Holocaust.

From The Daily Beast

Hers was a warmer, less profane speech, again in memory of a much-missed buddy.

From The Daily Beast

His novel The Last Magazine, published posthumously this month, is just like him:  blistering, fun, insightful, and profane.

From The Daily Beast

Charming, profane, alcoholic television anchorman becomes local hero and changes the news business.

From The Daily Beast

From the divine to the profane, what we mean when we say that potent word.

From The Daily Beast

Joan Henry Ursinus died; a Lutheran divine, eminent for his learning in sacred and profane history.

From Project Gutenberg

Those who hold the truth cannot enter into it with the infidel, the unbeliever, the erroneous or profane.

From Project Gutenberg

That dwell in sepulchres, and sleep in the temple of idols: that eat swine's flesh, and profane broth is in their vessels.

From Project Gutenberg

And they shall teach my people the difference between holy and profane, and shew them how to discern between clean and unclean.

From Project Gutenberg

Baltasar's profane banquet: his sentence is denounced by a handwriting on the wall, which Daniel reads and interprets.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• debase
• pervert