Definition of profanity Profanity

/pɹowfæˈnʌti/ - [prowfanutee] - pro•fan•i•ty

We found 7 definitions of profanity from 5 different sources.

What does profanity mean?

WordNet

Noun Plural: profanities
profanity - vulgar or irreverent speech or action
		utterance, vocalization the use of uttered sounds for auditory communication
		blasphemy blasphemous language (expressing disrespect for God or for something sacred)
		dirty word, vulgarism, obscenity, filth, smut a word that is considered to be unmentionable; "`failure' is a dirty word to him"

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Wiktionary

profanity (Noun)
The quality of being profane.
profanity (Noun)
Obscene, lewd or abusive language.

Webster DictionaryWebster's Unabridged Dictionary 📘

profanity (n.)
The quality or state of being profane; profaneness; irreverence; esp., the use of profane language; blasphemy.
profanity (n.)
That which is profane; profane language or acts.

Wikipedia

Profanity is the act of using rude words. The adjective is profane. Profanities can also be called swear words, curse ("cuss") words, dirty words, bad words, foul language, obscenity or obscene language, or expletives. It can be called an oath, although this word also has a normal meaning of a "solemn promise".

Religious profanity is called blasphemy. The verb is to blaspheme and the adjective is blasphemous. Saying “God!” or “Jesus Christ!” as an expression of surprise or annoyance is considered by many people to be blasphemy, mostly because one of the Ten Commandments says not to use God's name "in vain" (without a good reason). Swearing oaths is also considered wrong by some who follow Jesus' teaching against swearing oaths in the Gospels (such as Matt. 5:34).

A profanity usually refers to religion, sex, or bodily functions. These are things that people feel very strongly about. In some languages, such as French, there is more profanity about religion than most other topics. Russian has more about defecation and the lower digestive tract.

A profanity can be a word or gesture or some other form of behaviour.

Different words can be profanity to different people, and what words are thought of as profanity in English can change over time.

Whether a word is a profanity will always depend on the way people think. Some people will be offended by something, while others are not. Words which should not be used are taboo words. Using such words is thought by some people to be a sin.