profane

[pruh-feyn, proh-] /prəˈfeɪn, proʊ-/
adjective
1.
characterized by irreverence or contempt for God or sacred principles or things; irreligious.
2.
not devoted to holy or religious purposes; unconsecrated; secular (opposed to sacred).
3.
unholy; heathen; pagan:
profane rites.
4.
not initiated into religious rites or mysteries, as persons.
5.
common or vulgar.
verb (used with object), profaned, profaning.
6.
to misuse (anything that should be held in reverence or respect); defile; debase; employ basely or unworthily.
7.
to treat (anything sacred) with irreverence or contempt; violate the sanctity of:
to profane a shrine.
Origin
1350-1400; (adj.) < Latin profānus literally, before (outside of) the temple; replacing Middle English prophane < Medieval Latin prophānus desecrated (see pro-1, fane); (v.) < Latin profānāre, derivative of profānus; replacing Middle English prophanen < Medieval Latin prophānāre to desecrate
Related forms
profanely, adverb
profaneness, noun
profaner, noun
half-profane, adjective
nonprofane, adjective
nonprofanely, adverb
nonprofaneness, noun
semiprofane, adjective
semiprofanely, adverb
semiprofaneness, noun
unprofane, adjective
unprofanely, adverb
unprofaneness, noun
unprofaned, adjective
Can be confused
lewd, obscene, pornographic, profanatory, profane.
Synonyms
1. blasphemous, sacrilegious, impious, ungodly. 2. temporal. 3. unhallowed. 5. low, mean, base. 7. desecrate.
Antonyms
1. sacred. 2. spiritual. 3. holy.
British Dictionary definitions for profane

profane

/prəˈfeɪn/
adjective
1.
having or indicating contempt, irreverence, or disrespect for a divinity or something sacred
2.
not designed or used for religious purposes; secular
3.
not initiated into the inner mysteries or sacred rites
4.
vulgar, coarse, or blasphemous: profane language
verb (transitive)
5.
to treat or use (something sacred) with irreverence
6.
to put to an unworthy or improper use
Derived Forms
profanation (ˌprɒfəˈneɪʃən) noun
profanatory (prəˈfænətərɪ; -trɪ) adjective
profanely, adverb
profaneness, noun
profaner, noun
Word Origin
C15: from Latin profānus outside the temple, from pro-1 + fānum temple
Word Origin and History for profane
v.

late 14c., from Old French profaner, prophaner (13c.) and directly from Latin profanare "to desecrate, render unholy, violate," from profanus "unholy, not consecrated" (see profane (adj.)). Related: Profaned; profaning.

adj.

mid-15c., "un-ecclesiastical, secular," from Old French profane (12c.) and directly from Latin profanus "unholy, not consecrated," according to Barnhart from pro fano "not admitted into the temple (with the initiates)," literally "out in front of the temple," from pro- "before" (see pro-) + fano, ablative of fanum "temple" (see feast (n.)). Sense of "unholy, polluted" is recorded from c.1500. Related: Profanely.