Words / C1

pr-uh-FAYN/prəˈfeɪn/

Profane (also a verb) means not respectful of religion or of what a group treats as sacred: profane the ethics minute, profane copy. Rude (already in the dictionary) is everyday; a slogan is not a signature.

Meaning

Not respectful of religion or what is treated as sacred; also (verb) to treat that way (from rude, already in the dictionary).

Examples

• “Do not profane the ethics minute with a slogan; keep the signature.”
• “Rude is already in this course. Irreverent is the close twin. A slogan is comms. A signature is a file. Keep the signature; then keep the slogan if the clause still sits on consent.”

Good to know

Irreverent; treat as not sacred. Everyday: rude (already in the dictionary). A slogan ≠ an ethics signature.

Near in meaning

irreverent, sacrilegious, impious

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