adjective
profane
pruh-FAYN
Profane (adjective) means showing disrespect for sacred or religious things. Example: “He was scolded for making profane jokes in church.”
adjective
1
Showing disrespect for sacred or religious things.
"He was scolded for making profane jokes in church."
2
Relating to ordinary, non-religious life rather than the sacred.
"The lecture covered both sacred and profane art of the period."
verb
1
To treat something sacred with disrespect; to desecrate.
"The vandals profaned the ancient temple with graffiti."
How to use profane
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDisrespectful toward sacred things, or simply non-religious.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
profane language
sacred and profane
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Word forms
- Plural
- profanes
- Third person singular
- profanes
- Past tense
- profaned
- Comparative
- profaner, more profane
- Superlative
- profanest, most profane
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He was scolded for making _____ jokes in church.
Etymology
From Latin profānus, "not sacred," from pro- ("in front of, outside") + fānum ("temple") — literally "outside the temple."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for profane
See all rhymes for profane →Frequently asked questions
What does “profane” mean?
The word “profane” means showing disrespect for sacred or religious things. In plain terms, disrespectful toward sacred things, or simply non-religious.
How do you pronounce “profane”?
“Profane” is pronounced pruh-FAYN (/pɹəˈfeɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “profane” in a sentence?
Here is “profane” used in a sentence: “He was scolded for making profane jokes in church.”
What is another word for “profane”?
Words with a similar meaning to “profane” include Synonyms: vulgar, inappropriate, obscene, debased, uncouth and offensive.
What is the opposite of “profane”?
The opposite of “profane” — its antonyms — are consecrate and sanctify.
What part of speech is “profane”?
Depending on how it is used, “profane” can be an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “profane” come from?
The word “profane” comes from Latin. From Latin profānus, "not sacred," from pro- ("in front of, outside") + fānum ("temple") — literally "outside the temple.".
How many meanings does “profane” have?
“Profane” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: showing disrespect for sacred or religious things.
