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

In another part of the video, shot from a different angle, he is seen on the other side of the truck, screaming profanities as another person, much smaller in stature, walks up with a child and is seen putting things inside the pickup truck. — Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026

Despite profanity being normalized, not all voters want to hear it from politicians. — Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026

The 37-year-old known for sprinkling her comments with profanity and leaning into her edgy and sometimes humorous social media profile excited the liberal wing of the party. — Scott Bauer, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2026

One is cool, calm, collected, and joyful, while the other spews profanities and insults. — Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 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