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

If young Laveranues ever let a profanity slip in front of his mother, the contrite child put two hands to his chest and apologized sincerely. —Dan Pompei, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2025

There’s a Sondheimian rhythm to its profanities, and its exorbitantly long music montages swell with unguarded feeling. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025

There is no profanity in the movie, according to IMDB. —Julia Gomez, USA Today, 28 Nov. 2025

Any submissions that include profanity or other inappropriate language will not be considered, Washington County officials said. —Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 24 Nov. 2025

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