Meaning of profane in English

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
Antonyms
- sacred

Pronunciation