profane Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality
    pervert; debase; misdirect; subvert; debauch; deprave; vitiate; corrupt; demoralise; demoralize.
    • debauch the young people with wine and women
    • Socrates was accused of corrupting young men
    • Do school counselors subvert young children?
    • corrupt the morals
  2. verb violate the sacred character of a place or language
    outrage; desecrate; violate.
    • desecrate a cemetery
    • violate the sanctity of the church
    • profane the name of God
  3. adjective satellite characterized by profanity or cursing
    blasphemous; blue.
    • foul-mouthed and blasphemous
    • blue language
    • profane words
  4. adjective not concerned with or devoted to religion
    secular.
    • sacred and profane music
    • secular drama
    • secular architecture", "children being brought up in an entirely profane environment
  5. adjective satellite not holy because unconsecrated or impure or defiled
    unconsecrated; unsanctified.
  6. adjective satellite grossly irreverent toward what is held to be sacred
    blasphemous; sacrilegious.
    • blasphemous rites of a witches' Sabbath
    • profane utterances against the Church
    • it is sacrilegious to enter with shoes on

WordNet

Pro*fane" adjective
Etymology
F., fr. L. profanus, properly, before the temple, i. e., without the temple, unholy; pro before + fanum temple. See 1st Fane.
Definitions
  1. Not sacred or holy; not possessing peculiar sanctity; unconsecrated; hence, relating to matters other than sacred; secular; -- opposed to sacred, religious, or inspired; as, a profane place. "Profane authors." I. Disraeli.
    The profane wreath was suspended before the shrine. Gibbon.
  2. Unclean; impure; polluted; unholy.
    Nothing is profane that serveth to holy things. Sir W. Raleigh.
  3. Treating sacred things with contempt, disrespect, irreverence, or undue familiarity; irreverent; impious. Hence, specifically; Irreverent in language; taking the name of God in vain; given to swearing; blasphemous; as, a profane person, word, oath, or tongue. 1 Tim. i. 9. Syn. -- Secular; temporal; worldly; unsanctified; unhallowed; unholy; irreligious; irreverent; ungodly; wicked; godless; impious. See Impious.
Pro*fane" transitive verb
Etymology
L. profanare: cf. F. profaner. See Profane, a.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Profaned ; present participle & verbal noun Profaning
Definitions
  1. To violate, as anything sacred; to treat with abuse, irreverence, obloquy, or contempt; to desecrate; to pollute; as, to profane the name of God; to profane the Scriptures, or the ordinance of God.
    The priests in the temple profane the sabbath. Matt. xii. 5.
  2. To put to a wrong or unworthy use; to make a base employment of; to debase; to abuse; to defile.
    So idly to profane the precious time. Shak.

Webster 1913