Pronunciations (4)
-
/pɹəˈfeɪn/
Pronunciation notes
- UK
-
/pɹəˈfeɪn/
Pronunciation notes
- US
-
/pɹoʊˈfeɪn/
Pronunciation notes
- US
-
pɹəˈfeɪn
Pronunciation notes
- GB
Adjective
Unclean; ritually impure; unholy, desecrating a holy place or thing.
- Synonyms
- Examples
-
Nothing is profane that serveth to the use of holy things.
Not sacred or holy, unconsecrated; relating to non-religious matters, secular.
- Examples
-
profane authors
More examples (2)
A sonnet in praise of Rome was accepted as the effusion of genius and gratitude; and after the whole procession had visited the Vatican, the profane wreath was suspended before the shrine.
The sacred is the emotional force which connects the part to the whole; the profane or the secular is that which has been broken off from, or has fallen off, its emotional bond to the universe.
Treating sacred things with contempt, disrespect, irreverence, or scorn; blasphemous, impious.
Irreverent in language; taking the name of God in vain.
- Synonyms
- Examples
-
a profane person, word, oath, or tongue
the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane
More examples (1)
When asked to explain why he became a landlord, he told the Archbishop of York it was so he could close the pub on Sundays, and suppress the profane language and singing that came through the bar windows.
Noun
A person or thing that is profane.
- Examples
-
The nuns were employed in religious duties established in honour of St Clare, and to which no profane was ever admitted.
A person not a Mason.
Verb
To violate (something sacred); to treat with abuse, irreverence, obloquy, or contempt; to desecrate
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
-
One should not profane the name of God.
to profane the Scriptures
More examples (2)
VVhen the vulgar ſort / Sit on their Ale-bench, vvith their cups and kannes, / Matters of ſtate be not their common talke, / Nor pure religion by their lips prophande.
With one mind, their intent eyes all fastened upon the old man’s knife, as he carved the chief dish before him. I do not suppose that for the world they would have profaned that moment with the slightest observation, even upon so neutral a topic as the weather.
To put to a wrong or unworthy use; to debase; to abuse; to defile.
Usage- Transitive
Adjective
characterized by profanity or cursing
- Synonyms
- Examples
-
foul-mouthed and blasphemous
blue language
More examples (1)
profane words
not concerned with or devoted to religion
- Synonyms
- Antonyms
- Examples
-
sacred and profane music
secular drama
More examples (2)
secular architecture
children being brought up in an entirely profane environment
not holy because unconsecrated or impure or defiled
- Synonyms
grossly irreverent toward what is held to be sacred
- Synonyms
- Examples
-
blasphemous rites of a witches' Sabbath
profane utterances against the Church
More examples (1)
it is sacrilegious to enter with shoes on
Verb
corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality
- Examples
-
debauch the young people with wine and women
Socrates was accused of corrupting young men
More examples (2)
Do school counselors subvert young children?
corrupt the morals
violate the sacred character of a place or language
- Examples
-
desecrate a cemetery
violate the sanctity of the church
More examples (1)
profane the name of God