noun
profanity
pruh-FA-nih-tee
Profanity (noun) means swearing or offensive language. Example: “The comedian’s routine was full of profanity.”
noun
1
Swearing or offensive language.
"The comedian’s routine was full of profanity."
2
The quality of being disrespectful toward sacred things.
"The overwhelming power of his imagination led him to contemplate acts of impiety and profanity, and to a vivid realisation of the dangers these involved."
— John William Cousin, Bunyan, John (1910)
"The essay explored profanity and reverence in medieval art."
How to use profanity
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSwear words, or disrespect toward what’s considered sacred.
Common pairings
a stream of profanity
ban profanity
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Word forms
- Plural
- profanities
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The comedian’s routine was full of _____.
Etymology
From Latin profānitās, built from profane + -ity.
Related words
Rhymes for profanity
See all rhymes for profanity →Frequently asked questions
What does “profanity” mean?
The word “profanity” means swearing or offensive language. In plain terms, swear words, or disrespect toward what’s considered sacred.
How do you pronounce “profanity”?
“Profanity” is pronounced pruh-FA-nih-tee (/prəˈfænɪti/ in IPA).
How do you use “profanity” in a sentence?
Here is “profanity” used in a sentence: “The comedian’s routine was full of profanity.”
What part of speech is “profanity”?
“Profanity” is a noun.
Where does the word “profanity” come from?
The word “profanity” comes from Latin. From Latin profānitās, built from profane + -ity.
How many meanings does “profanity” have?
“Profanity” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: swearing or offensive language.
