# profane

/pɹoʊˈfeɪn/ (US) · /pɹəfˈeɪn/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/profane
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.