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

Showing disrespect for sacred or religious things.

"He was scolded for making profane jokes in church."

Relating to ordinary, non-religious life rather than the sacred.

"The lecture covered both sacred and profane art of the period."

verb

To treat something sacred with disrespect; to desecrate.

"The vandals profaned the ancient temple with graffiti."

How to use profane

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishDisrespectful toward sacred things, or simply non-religious.

Easily confused with

profanity →

Common pairings

profane language sacred and profane

Word forms

profaner comparative, more profane comparative, profaned past tense, profanes plural, profanes singular, profanest superlative, most profane superlative

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “profane” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

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."

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

View more →

Synonyms: vulgar inappropriate obscene debased uncouth offensive ignoble mean lewd wicked unhallow

Antonyms

consecrate sanctify

Related words

good think very mean average campaign dangerous evil

Rhymes for profane

cane lane Dane mane vane pane bane sane wane Jane fane Zane

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.

People also searched

good think very mean average campaign dangerous evil