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 There was subsequent speculation among radio columnists that the Grand Ole Opry could be subject to an expensive fine from the FCC for broadcasting profanity over the air. Chris Willman, Variety, 10 Mar. 2024 The former president said the profanity in reference to Haiti and African nations back in 2018, per the Associated Press and NBC News. Esme Mazzeo, Peoplemag, 27 Feb. 2024 The scuffle reached its apex when Quinones and Williams went jaw-to-jaw, with the Warriors guard repeatedly calling Williams a profanity. Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2024 People assembled out front and shouted racist obscenities and sexist profanities into the dawn. Robin Givhan, Washington Post, 20 Feb. 2024 Toth was allegedly put off by the story’s profanity and darkly hued cosmovision, and refused to continue. Ernesto Lechner, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Feb. 2024 One of the men walks up to Schnabel, yelling profanities. Lauren Izso, Brahim Dahman and Ibrahim Hazboun, CNN, 4 Feb. 2024 Warning: The following song contains some profanity. Claretta Bellamy, NBC News, 14 Dec. 2023 Consensual fake pornographic videos, though, would not be protected under exceptions to the First Amendment that include libel, defamation and profanity, the journal wrote. Dan Rosenzweig-Ziff, Washington Post, 26 Jan. 2024

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 19 Mar. 2024.

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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