profanity Hear it!

profanity Definition

pro·fan·ity (prō fanə tē, prə-)

noun

  1. the state or quality of being profane
  2. pl. -·ties something profane; esp., profane language or the use of profane language

Etymology: LL(Ec) profanitas

profanity Synonyms

profanity

n.

abuse, cursing, swearing, obscenity; see blasphemy, curse 1. See syn. study at blasphemy.

profanity Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • contain: RULES: Your fixture comments should not contain profanity, racist material or other abusive language.
  • use: Please do not use profanity or sexually explicit language in The Blue Room or in Private Messages.
  • utter: And Thomas utters not a profanity, ' My Lord and my God!
  • scream: Or maybe I just wanted to sit in the dark with a microphone stuck to my head, screaming profanity at kids.
  • shout: This light-hearted simplicity is what sets this duo apart from the generic hard-done-by, gangster mc shouting profanities at every opportunity.
  • mutter: I immediately awoke the Controller, who came to the dais muttering profanities.

Adjective modifier

  • such: Messages posted recently have been highly inappropriate and the Club will not abide such profanity on its site.
  • undue: In particular, the use of swear words or undue profanity is discouraged.
  • mild: There was also something wonderfully refreshing in having characters swear when they're in trouble, rather than using pathetically tame, mild profanity.
  • crass: Sometimes crass profanities are truly the best top search engine ranking descriptors, t.. .
  • much: He pointed out John Lydon's much celebrated profanity initially slipped out by mistake.
  • more: The more offensive profanities should only be used if absolutely necessary and within context.

Modifies a noun

  • filter: I've just discovered that their email system has a profanity filter which protects their staff from receiving mail containing any vulgar words.
  • delay: Q: Why is it better than using a conventional profanity delay?
profanity Quotes

All pro athletes are bilingual. They speak English and profanity.

—Howe, Gordie (Gordon)

He took the golden compasses, prepared In God's eternal store, to circumscribe This universe, and all created things: One foot he centred, and the other turned Round through the vast profundity obscure, And said,'Thus far extend, thus far thy bounds This be thy just circumference,O world.'

—Milton,John

My approach to newspapers was based on the idea that when you looked at the front page you said: 'Good heavens', when you looked at the middle page you said: 'Holy smoke', and by the time you got to the back pageöwell, I'd have to utter a profanity to show how exciting it was.

—Christiansen, Arthur