Definition of: profane

(prə·fān′) v.t. ·faned, ·fan·ing
1. To treat (something sacred) with irreverence or abuse; desecrate; pollute.
2. To put to an unworthy or degrading use; debase. See synonyms under VIOLATE.
—adjective
1. Manifesting irreverence, disrespect, or undue familiarity toward the Deity or sacred things; blasphemous.
2. Secular: opposed to sacred.
3. Not initiated into the inner mysteries; hence, vulgar; common. [<F profaner <L profanare <profanus before or outside the temple, hence, unsacred <pro- before + fanum temple]
—pro·fan·a·to·ry (prə·fan′ə·tôr′ē, -tō′rē) adjective
—pro·fane′ly adverb
—pro·fan′er noun Synonyms (adj.): blasphemous, godless, impious, irreligious, sacrilegious, secular, temporal, unconsecrated, ungodly, unhallowed, unholy, unsanctified, wicked, worldly. Antonyms: consecrated, devout, godly, holy, pious, religious, reverent, sacred, piritual.