English Reference
Verb

profane

v.
C1 Advanced US /pɹoʊˈfeɪn/ UK /pɹəfˈeɪn/ pro·fane UK spelling profanes

v.to treat something holy or sacred in a way that is disrespectful or rude. It can also mean to use very bad or offensive language.

v.to treat something sacred or holy with irreverence or disrespect; to use language that is considered highly offensive or vulgar.


SIMPLE

He was asked to leave the church for using profane language.

CONTEXTUAL

The ancient temple was profane by the construction of a modern shopping mall on its grounds.

COMPLEX

The critic argued that the film's profane dialogue was a deliberate choice to challenge the audience's expectations of traditional cinematic decorum.


From Middle French prophane, from Latin profānus (“not religious, unclean”), from pro- (“before”) + fānum (“temple”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Latin profānus
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated