What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
profane
Example
The comedian's jokes were considered profane by some members of the audience. [profane: adjective]
Example
She accidentally profaned the holy water by dropping her phone in it. [profaned: past tense verb]
irreverent
Example
The irreverent student made jokes during the solemn ceremony. [irreverent: adjective]
Example
His irreverence towards his boss got him fired from his job. [irreverence: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Irreverent is more commonly used than profane in everyday language. Irreverent is a versatile word that can be used in a variety of contexts, while profane is less common and tends to be used in more specific situations involving religion or sacred things.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between profane and irreverent?
Both profane and irreverent are generally considered informal words, but profane may be seen as more taboo or offensive in certain contexts due to its association with religion or sacred things.
