How to pronounce profane
Say it like proh-FAYN. Profane has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FAYN).
- proh
- FAYN
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Profane pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- prohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- FAYNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of profane
American and British speakers say profane in essentially the same way: /proʊˈfeɪn/ in the US and /prəˈfeɪn/ in the UK.
British respelling: pruh-FAYN.
What does profane mean?
- Unclean; ritually impure; unholy, desecrating a holy place or thing.
- Not sacred or holy, unconsecrated; relating to non-religious matters, secular.“profane authors”
- Treating sacred things with contempt, disrespect, irreverence, or scorn; blasphemous, impious.
- A person or thing that is profane.
- A person not a Mason.
- To violate (something sacred); to treat with abuse, irreverence, obloquy, or contempt; to desecrate“One should not profane the name of God.”
- To put to a wrong or unworthy use; to debase; to abuse; to defile.
Where does profane come from?
From Middle English prophane, from Middle French profane, prophaine, prophane and its etymon Classical Latin profānus (“not religious, unclean”) (also Late Latin prophānus), from pro- (“instead of”) + fānum (“temple”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- defiled
- mishallowed
- unhallowed
- common
- secular
- unsanctified
- unholy
- irreverent
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with profane
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of profane.
Questions about saying profane
How do you pronounce profane?
Say proh-FAYN. The American pronunciation is /proʊˈfeɪn/. In British English it is /prəˈfeɪn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in profane?
Profane has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FAYN). Broken into parts: proh · FAYN.
Do Americans and Brits say profane the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /proʊˈfeɪn/ and the British form is /prəˈfeɪn/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.