profanity

noun

pro·​fan·​i·​ty prō-ˈfa-nə-tē 

prə-

plural profanities

1

a

: the quality or state of being profane

b

: the use of profane language

2

a

: profane language

b

: an utterance of profane language

Synonyms of profanity

• curse
• language
• swear
• expletive
• obscenity
• cuss
• vulgarism

Examples of profanity in a Sentence

The comic uses too much profanity.

My mom will not tolerate profanity.

I have never heard my father utter a single profanity.

Recent Examples on the Web

There are faint smudges of pastel crayon on the wall and carved profanities with paint chips revealing the previous cerulean walls. —Ashley Andreou, STAT, 22 June 2026

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (referred to as EDI by the ALA) titles are also targeted, along with books depicting suicide, drugs, satanism, witchcraft, and profanity. —Spin Team, SPIN, 22 June 2026

The volume was very loud, and all that could be heard was one profanity after another. —Judith Martin, Mercury News, 16 June 2026

Public profanity, again blaring across the White House lawn. —Oskar Garcia, New York Times, 15 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1563, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for profanity

• humanity
• inanity
• insanity
• urbanity
• christianity
• inhumanity
• sanity
• vanity

Kids Definition

profanity

noun

pro·​fan·​i·​ty prō-ˈfan-ət-ē 

prə-

plural profanities

1

: the quality or state of being profane

2

: profane language