What is the meaning of profane?

verb

  • Corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality.
    • usage: "debauch the young people with wine and women"; "Socrates was accused of corrupting young men"; "Do school counselors subvert young children"; "corrupt the morals"
  • Violate the sacred character of a place or language.
    • usage: "desecrate a cemetery"; "violate the sanctity of the church"; "profane the name of God"

adjective

  • Characterized by profanity or cursing.
    • usage: "foul-mouthed and blasphemous"; "blue language"; "profane words"
  • Not concerned with or devoted to religion.
    • usage: "sacred and profane music"; "secular drama"; "secular architecture, "children being brought up in an entirely profane environment"
  • Not holy because unconsecrated or impure or defiled.
  • Grossly irreverent toward what is held to be sacred.
    • usage: "blasphemous rites of a witches' Sabbath"; "profane utterances against the Church"; "it is sacrilegious to enter with shoes on"
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APAWordNet. (2010). profane. Retrieved September 20, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/profane/definitions/1181416
ChicagoWordNet. 2010. "profane" http://smartdefine.org/profane/definitions/1181416 (accessed September 20, 2026).
HarvardWordNet 2010, profane, Smart Define, viewed 20 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/profane/definitions/1181416>.
MLAWordNet. "profane" 23 October 2010. Web. 20 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/profane/definitions/1181416>
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