First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1profane
verb pro·fane \prō-ˈfān, prə-\
: to treat (a holy place or object) with great disrespect
pro·fanedpro·fan·ing
Full Definition of PROFANE
transitive verb
1
: to treat (something sacred) with abuse, irreverence, or contempt : desecrate
2
: to debase by a wrong, unworthy, or vulgar use
— pro·fan·er noun
See profane defined for English-language learners
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Origin of PROFANE
Middle English prophanen, from Anglo-French prophaner, from Latin profanare, from profanus
2profane
adjective
: having or showing disrespect for religious things
: relating to ordinary life : not religious or spiritual
Full Definition of PROFANE
1
: not concerned with religion or religious purposes : secular
2
: not holy because unconsecrated, impure, or defiled : unsanctified
3
a : serving to debase or defile what is holy : irreverent b : obscene, vulgar
4
a : not being among the initiated b : not possessing esoteric or expert knowledge
— pro·fane·ly adverb
— pro·fane·ness \-ˈfān-nəs\ noun
See profane defined for English-language learners
Origin of PROFANE
Related to PROFANE
- Synonyms
- nonreligious, secular, temporal
Other Religion (Eastern and Other) Terms
PROFANENESS Defined for Kids
1profane
adjective pro·fane \prō-ˈfān\
Definition of PROFANE for Kids
: showing disrespect for God or holy things
2profane
verb
pro·fanedpro·fan·ing
Definition of PROFANE for Kids
: to treat (something sacred) with great disrespect
Learn More About PROFANE
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