profanity

noun

pro·​fan·​i·​ty prō-ˈfa-nə-tē How to pronounce profanity (audio)
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

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 Violence and profanity The violence, obviously, is something that is not accurate whatsoever. William Earl, Variety, 17 Sep. 2023 Mecham screams, punctuated by honks and profanity, according to footage from inside his vehicle June 10 reviewed by Fox News Digital. Christina Coulter, Fox News, 29 Oct. 2023 Her husband then took the gun from his wife and pointed it at the couple while screaming profanities at them, police said. Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 18 Sep. 2023 There is something slightly anachronistic about the rousing feminist themes here, but the film is great fun and the Toronto audience was wildly cheering at the end, which crescendoes with hilarious profanities hurled by both bravura actresses. Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 13 Sep. 2023 When Edith and fellow residents begin to receive wicked letters full of unintentionally hilarious profanities, fouth-mouthed Rose is charged with the crime. Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 3 Nov. 2023 Some of the many attendees shouted profanities, argued or played music before they were removed. Jordan Miller, The Salt Lake Tribune, 9 Sep. 2023 Comments also criticized Serafin’s use of profanity at school board meetings. Jeremy Childs, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2023 But in a statement shared with CNN, the Metropolitan Opera said all performances follow FCC guidelines regarding profanity and questionable language. Devon M. Sayers, CNN, 9 Oct. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'profanity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1563, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of profanity was in 1563

Dictionary Entries Near profanity

Cite this Entry

“Profanity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/profanity. Accessed 9 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

profanity

noun
pro·​fan·​i·​ty prō-ˈfan-ət-ē How to pronounce profanity (audio)
prə-
plural profanities
1
: the quality or state of being profane
2
: profane language

More from Merriam-Webster on profanity

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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