profane

1 of 2

verb

pro·​fane prō-ˈfān 

prə-

profaned; profaning

transitive verb

1

: to treat (something sacred) with abuse, irreverence, or contempt : desecrate

2

: to debase by a wrong, unworthy, or vulgar use

profaner noun

profane

2 of 2

adjective

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

profanely adverb

profaneness

prō-ˈfān-nəs 

prə-

noun

Synonyms of profane

Verb

• corrupt
• degrade
• pervert
• poison
• humiliate
• debauch
• subvert
• dilute
• dirty
• demean

Adjective

• temporal
• secular
• physical

Examples of profane in a Sentence

Verb

the once-lovely landscape had been profaned by ugly factories

profaned his considerable acting talents by appearing in some wretched movies

Adjective

it was hard to juggle the requirements of church and our more profane duties

offended by the profane language that her coworkers used so casually

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

At the risk of profaning a wonderful show, the second season is even better. — John Anderson, wsj.com, 4 Apr. 2023

The narrative is that of a leader who has experienced vilification at the hands of enemies who are both secular (and thus profane) and intensely demonic. — Federico Finchelstein, The New Republic, 3 Nov. 2020

Adjective

Wembanyama heard boos — and profane chants — from Knicks fans throughout the evening. — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 9 June 2026

This is all, of course, a provocation, a way of merging the sacred and profane, and asking which is which. — Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 12 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English prophanen, from Anglo-French prophaner, from Latin profanare, from profanus

Adjective

Middle English prophane, from Middle French, from Latin profanus, from pro- before + fanum temple — more at pro-, feast

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for profane

• abstain
• airplane
• alkane
• arcane
• arraign
• attain
• backplane
• betaine
• biplane
• blockchain
• butane
• campaign

Kids Definition

profane

1 of 2 verb

pro·​fane prō-ˈfān 

prə-

profaned; profaning

1

: to treat (something sacred) with great disrespect

2

: to put to a wrong or vulgar use : debase

profanation

ˌpräf-ə-ˈnā-shən, 

ˌprō-fə-

noun

profanatory

prō-ˈfan-ə-ˌtōr-ē, 

-ˌtȯr-

adjective

profane

2 of 2 adjective

1

: not concerned with religion or religious purposes : secular, worldly

2

: showing no respect for holy things

profane language

profanely adverb