profanity

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'profanity' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to language that is considered offensive, blasphemous, or sacrilegious. For example, “The child was scolded for using profanity in the classroom.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Nor can the so-called Great Vowel Shift in English, which, in the 15th century, modified the quality of all the long vowels (compare "profane" : "profanity"; "divine" : "divinity"; and others).

Encyclopedia Britannica

But after profanity laws meant a cut-down version of the film went on general release in Russia, the director encouraged his compatriots to download a version illegally; some estimate that there have been over 4m downloads so far.

The Guardian - Film

OK, now the profanity ceases for a bit with Safia's Listen to Soul, Listen to Blues at number 76. They're from Canberra.

The Guardian

Keating shared some of the more lighthearted sides of Wran's personality, saying he had a "PhD in poetic profanity".

The Guardian

With a torrent of on-screen profanity and vice, timeslots were restricted to late night (particularly in the UK) and mass syndication seemed unlikely, but there are fewer such limits online.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

One proposal that has come to pass is a ban on film profanity, meaning releases are subject to cuts – including Leviathan, the Golden Globe-winning drama that Russia is nevertheless trying to muffle, given its biting portrayal of local Russian politics and bureaucracy.

The Guardian - Film

You know, I don't use profanity, but believe me, I've got a lot of friends who do.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

There were profanity-laced calls to the police department and threats against Kelley, who was labelled a "murderer".

The Guardian

The inns at this time of year are filled with a mix of first-time riders hoping to catch a glimpse of the park's volcanic splendours and snowmobiling enthusiasts, whose profanity-laced pontifications about the latest makes and motors dominate the town's watering holes.But for years environmental groups have agitated to ban snowmobiles from the park.

The Economist

"Our party has had so many programmes," he shrugs, "I really wouldn't pay much attention to them".After emigrating to the United States in 1974 Mr Limonov, now 64, became notorious for a profanity-strewn novel describing the louche life of an émigré in New York.

The Economist

But text messages and e-mails have a life of their own after they leave their senders' fingers, and profanity-laced ones can come back to bite.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ the term when discussing censorship, broadcasting standards or social conduct codes where a precise, non-offensive noun is required.

Common error

Avoid using "profanity" to describe language that is merely informal or non-standard. While all "profanity" is informal, not all informal language, such as "slang" or "colloquialisms", constitutes profanity. Reserve the term for language that is genuinely taboo, offensive or sacrilegious.

Linguistic Context

In the examples provided by Ludwig, the word "profanity" functions primarily as a noun, acting as either the subject or the object within a sentence. It is frequently used to categorize a specific type of speech or to describe a quality of a text or performance. Ludwig AI confirms that this usage is grammatically correct and standard in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Encyclopedias

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Ludwig AI and the extensive search data demonstrate that "profanity" is a highly established and versatile noun used to describe language that is offensive, sacrilegious or taboo. It is particularly common in News & Media and Encyclopedias, where it serves as a clinical and neutral way to address censorship or social behavior. The data suggests that while it is used to denote offensive speech, the word itself is perfectly formal and appropriate for all professional settings. When writing, remember that "profanity" is a collective noun or a quality, and using it instead of casual alternatives like "swearing" can significantly elevate the level of your discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

swear words

More common and informal way to refer to individual offensive terms

foul language

A slightly more descriptive and judgmental alternative often used in behavioral warnings

vulgarity

Focuses more on the coarseness or lack of refinement rather than the specific taboo nature of the words

obscenity

Often used in legal contexts to describe material that is offensive to decency

expletives

A formal or linguistic term for words used as fillers that often happen to be swear words

bad language

A simple, child-friendly way to categorize offensive speech

cursing

Focuses on the action of using offensive language, common in American English

blasphemy

Specifically refers to language that is irreverent toward God or sacred things

imprecation

An extremely formal and rare term for a spoken curse

blue language

An idiomatic expression referring to the use of swear words

FAQs

How to use "profanity" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe the presence of offensive language, such as: "The film was rated R due to the excessive use of "profanity"."

What can I say instead of "profanity"?

Depending on the tone, you can use alternatives like "swear words", "vulgar language" or "expletives".

What is the difference between "profanity" and "blasphemy"?

While "profanity" is a general term for taboo or coarse language, "blasphemy" specifically refers to speech that is impious or shows a lack of reverence for God or religion.

Is "profanity" considered a formal word?

Yes, "profanity" is a more formal and clinical term than "swearing" or "cursing" and is preferred in academic, legal and news contexts.