Word
profane
Phoneticspro·fane, stress on the second syllable
US/pɹoʊˈfeɪn/
UK/pɹəfˈeɪn/
Definition
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.
Examples
“He was asked to leave the church for using profane language.”
“The ancient temple was profane by the construction of a modern shopping mall on its grounds.”
“The critic argued that the film's profane dialogue was a deliberate choice to challenge the audience's expectations of traditional cinematic decorum.”
Examples
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.”
Real-World Examples
“Vice President Dick Cheney once told a Democratic senator to “go f— yourself,” and presidents Richard Nixon and Lyndon Johnson were notoriously profane while talking with advisors.” “That’s because they were met with profane and anti-government messages displayed on what appeared to be a hacked traffic sign.” “I now know, thanks to Richard Stephens, a senior psychology lecturer at Keele University in the UK, that my profane snarl caused adrenaline to surge through my system.” “Swofford can write like he drives : fast and furious and profane, a poet’s touch control channeling all the testosterone and adrenaline into a high-test, high-wire performance.” Etymology
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.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/profane