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

The city’s agreement with Clear Channel and Outfront Foster has similar terms, including several prohibitions such as no motion, no illumination between midnight and 6 a.m., and no violence, profanity, adult goods or services, or political and religious content. —Devan Patel, Mercury News, 18 June 2025

But outside of some mature dialogue in some instances, there is no profanity or otherwise inappropriate language. —Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 17 June 2025

My father, never one to pass on a grand gesture, leaned in, but my mother shot him a look suggesting that the entire canon of American profanity could be translated into a single facial expression. —Jelani Cobb, New Yorker, 14 June 2025

The jury heard Daniel yell profanities and call his ex-wife names. —Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 11 June 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