Dictionary
List of exercises
Exercises by level
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
OK
Meaning of profane in English
Pronunciation
/prəˈfeɪn/
US accent
Your browser does not support the audio element.
How to pronounce profane in American English, in context
▾
Use the controls below
to browse different examples of pronunciation.
UK accent
How to pronounce profane in British English, in context
▾
Use the controls below
to browse different examples of pronunciation.
Verb
profane
Definitions
1.
corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality
Examples
« debauch the young people with wine and women »
« Socrates was accused of corrupting young men »
« Do school counselors subvert young children? »
« corrupt the morals »
2.
violate the sacred character of a place or language
Examples
« desecrate a cemetary »
« violate the sanctity of the church »
« profane the name of God »
Classifying Adjective
profane
Definitions
1.
characterized by profanity or cursing
Examples
« foul-mouthed and blasphemous »
« blue language »
« profane words »
Synonyms
dirty
2.
not holy because unconsecrated or impure or defiled
Synonyms
unholy
unhallowed
3.
grossly irreverent toward what is held to be sacred
Examples
« blasphemous rites of a witches' Sabbath »
« profane utterances against the Church »
« it is sacrilegious to enter with shoes on »
Synonyms
irreverent
Qualitative Adjective
profane
Etymology
late Middle English (in the sense ‘heathen’): from Old French prophane, from Latin profanus‘outside the temple, not sacred’, from pro- (from Latin pro‘before’) + fanum‘temple’
Definitions
1.
not sacred or concerned with religion
Examples
« sacred and profane music »
« children being brought up in an entirely profane environment »
Synonyms
laic
lay
secular
profanatory
secularized
secularised
temporal
worldly
Antonyms
sacred
See also
earthly
impious