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

His use of profanities pepper his Truth Social messages. —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 11 Apr. 2026

Electronics aside, yelling, heckling and the use of profanity are also direct violations of gallery etiquette and could result in removal from the event. —Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026

When is profanity essential to a story? —Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2026

The president of the United States shouldn’t conduct foreign policy via a racist, profanity-laden Easter morning post. —Heidi Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 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