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

• curse
• cuss
• cussword
• dirty word
• expletive
• four-letter word
• obscenity
• swear
• swearword
• 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

Any time the Federal Communications Commission bans profanity from the airwaves, say, or whenever the Environmental Protection Agency issues a permit, the agency must comply with APA procedures. —Christina Gatti, NPR, 8 Feb. 2025

Lemon’s video contains profanity and a racial slur. —Angel Saunders, People.com, 4 Feb. 2025

Drill sergeants now minimize their use of profanity, insults and degrading remarks and strive to become support figures for trainees. —Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2025

In some corners, stripping the songs of profanities and toning down references doesn’t make adult songs kid appropriate. —Sopan Deb, New York Times, 22 Jan. 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